Simmering tension in Senapati after arrest of NSCN (IM) cadre

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb 21(EMN): Situation remains tense in Senapati district of Manipur in the aftermath of confrontations between Assam Rifles personnel and the local residents on Friday.

The confrontations were triggered by the Assam Rifles’ arrest of a member of the NSCN (IM) in Senapati. According to reports, all vehicles along the National Highway from Kangpokpi to Senapati have been stranded.

Also, vehicles coming from other states were not able to cross Senapati.

The president of Poumai Students’ Union, Isaac told Eastern Mirror that the ‘incident’ started around 2.30 pm on Friday, when people started protesting after the Assam Rifles arrested one NSCN (IM) cadre.

He informed that strikes have also started in all the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur.

“The situation is becoming worse because the person who has been arrested by the Assam Rifles has not been released yet. Therefore, unless he is released the public will not stop protesting and also not allow the vehicles to pass through,” he said.

It was informed that women groups have occupied the roads.

The  president of Naga People Organisation (NPO) Solomon also said that situation in Senapati is “very tense as of now”.

He informed that the arrested NSCN (IM) cadre has been ‘taken down to Imphal by the commanding officer who was the leader of today’s arrest’.

Another source said that on Thursday, the NSCN (IM) had captured an AR captain and seized his weapon when the latter was trying to ‘arrest some NSCN boys from Senapati bazaar’.

However, at the intervention of civil society organisations, the captain was released and his weapon returned.