Senapati: Tension gripped Tumuyon Khullen (T. Khullen) village in Senapati district after a commotion broke out when a group of people reportedly made multiple attempts to remove barricades set up by volunteers of the United Naga Council (UNC).
A three-day total shutdown has been enforced across Naga-inhabited areas since midnight of April 20 by the UNC as a mark of mourning and tribute to the two passengers from Ukhrul who were killed in the recent ambush at TM Kasom village in the district.
According to sources, the confrontation at T. Khullen was triggered when two youths from Changoubung Kuki village allegedly attempted to remove the barricades set up on the highway to halt vehicular movement.
The youths of Changoubung village reportedly objected to the blockade, claiming that the area falls under their jurisdiction.
The heated argument between the two groups further escalated when locals from Changoubung began pelting stones at the volunteers.
During the confrontation, vehicles belonging to officials of the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) were reportedly damaged after being hit by stones.
The situation was later brought under control following the intervention of security forces.
According to AC Thotso, Member Secretary of the UNC Working Committee, the three-day shutdown across Naga-inhabited areas has remained largely peaceful, except for the incident at Changoubung.
The Naga leader alleged that around 4:30 am, police personnel from Kangpokpi Police Station arrived and charged at Naga volunteers enforcing the shutdown, allegedly threatening them. He further claimed that the personnel intimidated the volunteers and were seen loading their guns.
He also questioned the Kuki community for allegedly failing to respect the sentiments of the Naga people, who are mourning the deaths of two Tangkhul civilians killed in the recent ambush at TM Kasom village in Ukhrul district.
“We have to respect one another. It is by human nature and tribal culture to respect the dead and honour the observance of mourning,” Thotso said.
He further expressed hope that all concerned citizens of the state would respect the observance and that law enforcement agencies would remain neutral.
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