Violence continues in Manipur, vehicles to Naga districts targeted

While the UNC has announced an economic blockade cutting off supply of essential goods to Imphal valley, the NSCN (IM) stormed a police station in Tamenglong district and stole arms and ammunition on Saturday. On December 14, a police party that was part of a road sanitising team patrolling the newly formed Tengnoupal district was attacked, killing three.

Angry Meitei mobs, in return, have been attacking vehicles on their way to tribal districts as well as a church in the heart of Imphal East. One of Manipur’s biggest churches, the Manipur Baptist Church in Chingmeirong was stoned by a mob of around a hundred on Saturday and directed not to conduct Sunday services or celebrate Christmas, said sources. The church remained shut on Sunday.

On Friday, there were three IED blasts in Imphal, all apparently targeted at people considered close to the NSCN (IM).

The state government had imposed indefinite curfew in Imphal East and West districts on Saturday evening to try control the situation. The deputy commissioner, Imphal West, also suspended Internet services across the city.

The 21 vehicles carrying over 300 people left Imphal for Ukhrul under police protection on Sunday morning. Many of the passengers were headed home for Christmas.

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At 11.20 am, as the convoy reached Khurai Haikru Makhong, it was attacked with stones. Police fired tear gas shells but were outnumbered. While the mob set the vehicles afire, the passengers were taken safely to a community centre, from where police later took them to the 1 Manipur Rifles camp. Police sources said they were still considering whether to try send them to Ukhrul or back to Imphal.

Questioning the decision to create new districts, the NSCN(IM) alleged on Sunday that the violence against Nagas in Manipur was sponsored by the CM himself. “The recent communal flare-up lit by Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh by deliberately announcing creation of several districts by slicing from the land of Nagas without consulting the Nagas and targeting their lives through serial bombings is tantamount to attacking the whole Naga people. The MNPF which has owned responsibility for the bombings is a puppet paid to serve the interests of Manipur’s valley-based militants sponsored by Ibobi Singh,” a statement said.