Manipur: Senapati tense after arrest of NSCN-IM ‘Major’

Senapati: Tension prevailed in Senapati district of Manipur following clashes between Assam Rifles personnel and the locals at Mayangkhang area after a ‘Major’-rank leader of the NSCN-IM was reportedly arrested by Assam Rifles personnel on Friday afternoon.

Following the reported arrest, local residents went on a rampage and damaged a vehicle belonging to the Assam Rifles at Mayangkhang. As the situation turned violent, the security personnel fled from the spot abandoning their vehicle.

Meanwhile, the protesting locals allegedly came out on the streets and burnt tyres at different parts of Senapati town. This forced business establishments to shut down their shutters. Vehicular movement also got restricted along the town till the filing of this report, as per sources.

According to sources, Friday’s incident could be be a fallout of the incident that took place a day before. On Thursday, an Assam Rifles ‘Captain’ was allegedly ‘captured’ and his weapon ‘seized’ by Government of People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN)’s ‘Naga Army’ following a clash at Tahamzam, the headquarters of Senapati district, in Manipur.

However, following the intervention of some of the local residents, both the Captain and his weapon were reportedly released later in the day on Friday.

The surprising development came to the fore when some personnel from Assam Rifles, led by a Captain, started chasing some members belonging to the Naga Army. In the ensuing clash, the Assam Rifles Captain was allegedly overpowered by the Naga Army. The Captain was then ‘captured’ and his weapon taken away, said sources.

However, the sources informed that the Captain of the Assam Rifles was released later following intervention of locals on ‘humanitarian grounds’. The weapon, which was taken away by the Naga Army, was also released later following requests from some of the civil society members.

Sources informed EastMojo that the incident took place when the jawans of the Assam Rifles were busy launching a Road Opening Party (ROP), which is a normal thing in such areas.