SENAPATI, Nov 15:    Following a meeting held on Friday, at the office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner, Senapati, an understanding was reached between Manipur government representatives and the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), Senapati District Women Association (SDWA), and Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA). The meeting was attended by Shri L. Dikho, Hon’ble MLA of 48-Mao AC, Shri J. Kumo Sha, Hon’ble MLA of 47-Karong AC, the Deputy Commissioner of Senapati, and representatives of the NPO, SDWA, and SDSA.

The meeting followed a charter of demands submitted to Chief Minister N Biren Singh on November 11, 2024. After thorough discussions, an understanding was reached, prompting the NPO, SDWA, and SDSA to temporarily relax restrictions on all commercial vehicular traffic movement beyond the Senapati district headquarters on NH-2. The decision was based on assurances provided by the government representatives, which included the following:

i) The government will ensure punitive action against the perpetrators as per law of the land and provide commensurate compensation to the victims.

ii) Immediate measures to curb collection of illegal tax, extortion and other disturbances on the NH-2 will be taken up by the Government.

iii) Not withstanding the above, the frontal Organisations of Senapati district, NPO, SDWA, SDSA register their dissatisfaction with the Arambai Tengol’s Notice issued vide no. AT/U/18/2024/003, dated 14.11.2024.

iv) NPO, SDWA, and SDSA shall resume the restriction imposed on all commercial vehicular traffic movement beyond Senapati district HQ on NH-2 in case of failure to seriously take appropriate action on the above assurances.

The restrictions were initially implemented as part of a protest against ongoing harassment and extortion, reportedly by individuals from the Meitei and Kuki communities, following the ethnic violence that began in Manipur. The recent trigger for the protests was an alleged incident where two Poumai Naga men from Senapati district—V. Hrangao Blesson of Kodom Khullen Village and Dalou of Liyai Khullen Village—were victims of an attempted murder and were coerced at gunpoint to pay Rs. 61,400 to armed assailants.

The NPO, SDWA, and SDSA have voiced their frustration over what they perceive as a lack of support or intervention from the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) representing the attackers’ communities. Despite victims identifying the alleged perpetrators, the accused have denied involvement.