Manipur: Irate locals block NH-37 after police pick up three Naga youths

Imphal: Following the report of the three Naga youths being taken away by the police, the public reportedly blocked the National Highway 37, causing inconvenience to vehicular movement along the state’s lifeline.

A source informed EastMojo that three youths were “mistakenly picked up by Manipur Police commando from Nungba sub-division in Tamenglong district on Friday afternoon.”

Hundreds of passenger vehicles, both loaded and empty, were left stranded following the highway shutdown.

As per reliable sources, three locals were taken away by the police after they were suspected to be involved in extortion activities at the behest of insurgent organisations. However, the source claimed that two of them are daily labourers, while the other one runs a barbershop in the area.

The three civilians have been identified as Lovingson Kamei, 28, s/o of Thomas Kamei of Nungba, Hiamngamlung Gangmei, 26, s/o Kaningthaipou Gangmei of Nungba and Gaikhangkhuang Gangmei, 27, s/o Janingdai Gangmei of Rongdai.

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Angered by the high-handedness of the commandos, the general public shut down the national highway demanding the three youths be released and dropped home by the same team of police commando, the source added.

One of the locals informed EastMojo that the three people were playing Ludo in the afternoon when police commando arrived from Imphal and took them away without giving much explanation.

Sources also said that the three civilians have been taken to Imphal via Khoupum.

The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Nungba village authority “condemned such coward and the uncivilised act of Manipur Police commando towards the public.”

They have also urged Chief Minister N Biren Singh to intervene the situation for the larger interest of the public.

At the time of filing this report, the state police department was yet to give out any information in connection with the accident.

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