Noney: Fresh tensions have been reported in Manipur’s Noney district following a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) CoBRA unit operation near Bitiang village, where a training camp of the Naga Volunteer Group (NVG) is reportedly located, on Wednesday morning.
According to local sources, firing was reported from the area. However, the exact details of the exchange of fire, including whether there were any injuries or casualties, were not immediately clear at the time of filing this report.
Soon after reports of the combing operation emerged, women from the area reportedly gathered in large numbers and intervened, preventing the security forces from proceeding further towards the camp.
Meanwhile, following reports of the alleged operation, the Working Committee of the Joint Tribe Council (JTC), Manipur, announced an immediate and indefinite shutdown across areas inhabited by the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme communities in Noney district.
In a statement, the JTC-Manipur alleged that the CRPF’s CoBRA unit, “in collusion with ZUF-J”, launched an operation against the Naga Volunteer Group (NVG) at Bitiang village at around 6 am on July 29.
The council claimed that the NVG members were targeted while guarding their ancestral land.
In response, the Working Committee of the JTC-Manipur said it had decided to impose an immediate and indefinite shutdown of all national highways, railway lines and national projects passing through the territories of the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme communities.
However, the council said essential services, including medical services, educational institutions, the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), electricity and telecommunication services, would remain exempt from the shutdown.
The shutdown will remain in force until the Government of India takes what the council described as “decisive and meaningful action” to arrest those responsible for the killings, halt security operations against Naga villages and restore justice, the statement said.
The JTC-Manipur also referred to the abduction and killing of six Naga civilians, including two pastors, from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13.
The council alleged that instead of ensuring justice for the victims, the government had shielded those responsible and failed to address the concerns of the Naga community.
The JTC-Manipur further stated that it would continue its agitation until justice is delivered to the victims.