The day-and-night economic blockade at Namdilong along National Highway-2, with Naga civil society organisations intensifying their demand for the safe release of six Naga men allegedly abducted by suspected armed Kuki militants on May 13.
Protesters maintained the blockade at Namdilong, causing disruption to the movement of vehicles along the highway, one of Manipur’s most important transport corridors linking the state with Nagaland and the rest of the country. Security personnel remained deployed in the area to monitor the situation. Reports indicated that the agitation continued peacefully but with no sign of withdrawal by the protesters.
The ongoing protest is linked to the abduction of six Liangmai Naga men from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13. Naga civil society organisations have alleged that the men were abducted by armed Kuki militants and have been held captive since then. Despite the release of some of those initially abducted, six persons remain untraced, leading to widespread concern among Naga organisations and local communities.
Over the past several weeks, various Naga bodies, including student and community organisations, have staged protests, submitted memoranda and issued ultimatums to the government, demanding immediate action to secure the release of the missing men. Protesters have accused the authorities of failing to make sufficient progress in tracing the victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The issue has also reached the judiciary. The Manipur High Court recently directed the state government to submit an Action Taken Report on the investigation and efforts being made to trace the six missing men.
Naga organisations have warned that the agitation may intensify if the abducted men are not released at the earliest. They have reiterated their demand for immediate intervention by both the state and central governments to ensure the safe return of the six hostages and restore confidence among affected communities.
As of today, there was no official announcement regarding the whereabouts of the missing men or any breakthrough in efforts to secure their release. The blockade continued into the night, with protesters vowing to sustain the agitation until their demand is met.