NONEY, Nov 13: The Rongmei Naga Students’ Organization Manipur (RNSOM) has strongly condemned the attack on two trucks carrying essential supplies to Noney district.
In a press release issued today, RNSOM stated that the incident took place at around 5:30–6:00 AM and involved armed Kuki militants, who reportedly fired hundreds of rounds from automatic rifles at the vehicles, setting them ablaze. The trucks, with registration numbers MNDSC 3992 and AS 11 3577, were loaded with essential commodities, including rice, onions, and potatoes, destined for Longmai, Noney, and Tamenglong districts. This marks the second such incident along NH-37, following an earlier attack at Kaimai.
RNSOM’s statement emphasized the role of the Rongmei Naga communities in working to restore peace amid ongoing unrest. “The Rongmei Naga communities have played a crucial role in restoring peace and ensuring the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities for humanitarian purposes, working alongside the government to maintain coexistence and stability,” read the statement.
The organization highlighted the Rongmei people’s continuous appeals to the Jiribam Police to ensure 24/7 free movement of vehicles, both loaded and unloaded, along NH-37 to which they complied and appreciated, even without the need for security escorts as the entire stretch of NH-37 falls under their territorial jurisdiction. They further expressed gratitude to the Manipur government for arranging security convoys for vehicles carrying petroleum products and other essential goods. “The life is the spring of life to all living near and far of Noney,” stated the RNSOM. The statement continued, “It is not simply an attack on the trucks, but an attack on the entire citizens of the Naga districts.”
In response to what RNSOM described as an “act of terrorism,” the organization has declared a total boycott of all supplies to the Kuki community within Tamenglong and Noney districts, effective immediately. They also stressed that this decision would remain in effect until further notice.
