Manipur: Normal life hit in 6 districts over bandh to protest murder of Naga woman

IMPHAL/DIMAPUR— The 12-hour total shutdown called by the United Naga Council (UNC) to show its resentment over the cold-blooded killing of a Maring Naga woman from Chandel district, passed off peacefully on Monday though normal life in six Naga-inhabited districts of Manipur were affected.

Vehicles kept off the roads, including the state’s lifeline National Highway-2, and business establishments remained shut in Chandel, Kamjong, Noney, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul districts in view of the bandh.

The government offices and educational institutions also remained closed from 6 am to 6 pm in the Naga area. However, there were no reports of untoward incidents.

The UNC had, on Sunday, called for a total shutdown in all Naga areas in Manipur following the brutal murder of Lucy Marem at Sawombung in Imphal East district on July 15.

Taking serious note of the ‘barbaric act’, the apex body of the Nagas in Manipur had demanded the state government to immediately constitute a judicial inquiry committee, arrest the perpetrators of the crime, including the “Meira Paibis who are complicit in the act of crime”, bring them to justice as per the Naga Customary Law. It also demanded to make the role and position of the Meitei civil society organisations known.

“In the event of not fulfilling our demands within 48 hours, further course of action will be initiated,” the UNC had warned.

Meanwhile, Manipur police updated on Sunday that it had arrested nine people, including five women in connection with the case, and seized one .303 rifle with three live rounds, one country made 9mm pistol with two live rounds, and a car.

A case has been registered at Lamlai police station in Imphal east district.

SP Kshetrimayum Shivakanta Singh of Imphal East district said on Sunday evening that investigation was on and all accused persons involved in the case would be arrested. He added that appropriate action would be taken against them.

In the meantime, civil organisations including Global Manipur Federation, World Meetei Council, Working Group for Naga Rights in Manipur and Naga Women’s Union have condemned the heinous crime and sought justice for the victim at the earliest.