Manipur’s economic blockade over hostage crisis continues as Kuki and Naga demand release of hostages

Guwahati: More than 2,000 trucks remained stranded on national highway 2 in Manipur on Tuesday as the economic blockade in the state over the hostage crisis entered its fifth day. The truckers, facing shortage of food and drinking water, are receiving help from Assam Rifles, drivers’ unions and locals, as per reports.

The blockade has been imposed by protesters from the Kuki and Naga communities who have been seeking immediate release of people taken hostage following the May 13 ambush in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts last week. The ambush followed the killing of three church leaders the same day at Zero Point, between Kotlen and Kotzim, in Kangpokpi district.

On Tuesday, a 10-member team of church leaders met members of United Naga Council, Naga People’s Organisation and other civil society organisations in Senapati district. They discussed the tension between the two communities. Deliberations were also held on ways to defuse the crisis. The church leaders appealed for unconditional release of hostages on humanitarian grounds.
Namseng R Marak, secretary general, CBCNEI, said this was a difficult moment for the affected families and appealed to all communities to exercise restraint, stay patient and move forward in the spirit of forgiveness.