Amidst the heavy deployment of security forces for ensuing  general elections, several parts of North East India particularly Nagaland, Manipur again, Assam have been hit by violence. People from Nagaland made a beeline to neighbouring Assam to buy essential commodities as the indefinite shutdown of businesses to protest “extortion” by Naga political groups threw normal life out of gear in the State with the stir entering the third day on Sunday.

While in Manipur which continues to be strife torn for more than a year now, one person was killed and three others injured in a gunfight between village volunteers of two warring communities in ethnic strife-torn Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Sunday. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh strongly condemned the militant attack on security forces in Bishnupur district that claimed the lives of two CRPF personnel and vowed to nab the culprits without delay. The Nagaland shutdown was called by the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) on Friday also to protest alleged government inaction to protect businesses in Dimapur, the commercial hub of the state.

The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industries supported the call, following which shutdowns were imposed in other districts from Saturday. Markets remained shut across the State, with people from Nagaland, especially those living along the  inter-State boundary with Assam, went to the neighbouring State to buy essential commodities.

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Poll tension escalates in NE

No restriction on the movement of people and traffic has been imposed. The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CNCCI) announced that the indefinite state-wide shutdown would continue but would be relaxed only for six hours from noon to 6 pm on Monday to allow the public to procure essential items.

CNCCI president Khekugha Muru said the decision was taken in consideration of the fact that the shutdown was imposed in many districts without giving prior notice to the people.

CNCCI urged the government to take steps to stop “unabated” extortion, and intimidation by underground groups.

State Home Commissioner Vikeyie Kenya has directed the police to take stringent measures as “such activities reflect adversely on the law enforcing agency as well as on the state government”.

He instructed the district administrations and the police to report any violation of the ceasefire ground rules to

the Ceasefire Monitoring Group for appropriate action and also continue arresting “underground cadres”, found extorting, under the National Security Act.

On the other hand, the DCCI on Saturday submitted a five-point charter of demands to the state government through the deputy commissioner of Dimapur.

DCCI demanded that the state government immediately clarify whether taxation by NPGs was legal or illegal. It also wondered whether the business community should pay GST or the taxation of NPGs.

The DCCI asked the government to declare “summoning business community members to NPG offices, camps and monitoring cells” as illegal and law enforcing agencies be empowered to act against such places.

The DCCI also demanded that extortion, kidnapping, and waylaying of transport should be dealt with swiftly with full force and without impunity.

Further, dozens of gunmen had attacked Koutruk in Imphal West district on Sunday morning from elevated hilltops of neighbouring Kangpokpi district prompting village volunteers deployed in the fringe village to retaliate, the police said.

Exchange of fire gradually spread to adjacent villages of Kadangband and Senjam Chirang, they said.

Koutruk village has been witness to intense gunfights between village volunteers of two warring communities since ethnic violence broke out on May 3 last year. It has been identified as one of the most vulnerable areas for gun attacks.

More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic strife between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis since May 3 last year.

Meanwhile, denouncing the killing, the Kangpokpi district-based Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) has called for a 12-hour shutdown in the district from noon of April 28.

Two CRPF personnel were killed and two others injured after militants attacked an IRBn (India Reserve Battalion) camp at Naranseina in Moirang police station area in Manipur early on Saturday.

Claiming that peace is being gradually restored in the state, Biren Singh highlighted the successful conduct of Lok Sabha elections, indicating increased confidence among people. He, however, lamented the targeting of security personnel who were deployed to protect the state’s people.

“It is unfortunate that our jawans are being targeted. They are here to protect us,” Singh said.

Congress chief spokesman Jairam Ramesh’s alleged pressure was exerted on voters to exercise franchise in favour of an NDA partner.

Ramesh had on April 26 shared a video on social media claiming that voters in Ukhrul district in Outer Manipur were being pressured to support the Naga People’s Front, BJP’s ally, instead of the Congress.

The Congress leader accused the security forces of not taking any action and lamented that such activities are taking place in one of “the most important elections of our lifetime”.

Addressing the ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kukis, Singh outlined government initiatives to restore peace, including the deployment of paramilitary forces, assistance for displaced persons, and reconciliation efforts through peace committees.

“The conflict should not have happened. The government took a lot of steps to contain the situation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spent three days in the state and talked to the communities. Steps have been taken for displaced people. The central government has provided help in every way,” he said.

Pioneer News Service n Guwahati/ Imphal / Kohima

Amidst the heavy deployment of security forces for ensuing  general elections, several parts of North East India particularly Nagaland, Manipur again, Assam have been hit by violence. People from Nagaland made a beeline to neighbouring Assam to buy essential commodities as the indefinite shutdown of businesses to protest “extortion” by Naga political groups threw normal life out of gear in the State with the stir entering the third day on Sunday.

While in Manipur which continues to be strife torn for more than a year now, one person was killed and three others injured in a gunfight between village volunteers of two warring communities in ethnic strife-torn Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Sunday. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh strongly condemned the militant attack on security forces in Bishnupur district that claimed the lives of two CRPF personnel and vowed to nab the culprits without delay. The Nagaland shutdown was called by the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) on Friday also to protest alleged government inaction to protect businesses in Dimapur, the commercial hub of the state.

The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industries supported the call, following which shutdowns were imposed in other districts from Saturday. Markets remained shut across the State, with people from Nagaland, especially those living along the  inter-State boundary with Assam, went to the neighbouring State to buy essential commodities.

No restriction on the movement of people and traffic has been imposed. The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CNCCI) announced that the indefinite state-wide shutdown would continue but would be relaxed only for six hours from noon to 6 pm on Monday to allow the public to procure essential items.

CNCCI president Khekugha Muru said the decision was taken in consideration of the fact that the shutdown was imposed in many districts without giving prior notice to the people.

CNCCI urged the government to take steps to stop “unabated” extortion, and intimidation by underground groups.

State Home Commissioner Vikeyie Kenya has directed the police to take stringent measures as “such activities reflect adversely on the law enforcing agency as well as on the state government”.

He instructed the district administrations and the police to report any violation of the ceasefire ground rules to

the Ceasefire Monitoring Group for appropriate action and also continue arresting “underground cadres”, found extorting, under the National Security Act.

On the other hand, the DCCI on Saturday submitted a five-point charter of demands to the state government through the deputy commissioner of Dimapur.

DCCI demanded that the state government immediately clarify whether taxation by NPGs was legal or illegal. It also wondered whether the business community should pay GST or the taxation of NPGs.

The DCCI asked the government to declare “summoning business community members to NPG offices, camps and monitoring cells” as illegal and law enforcing agencies be empowered to act against such places.

The DCCI also demanded that extortion, kidnapping, and waylaying of transport should be dealt with swiftly with full force and without impunity.

Further, dozens of gunmen had attacked Koutruk in Imphal West district on Sunday morning from elevated hilltops of neighbouring Kangpokpi district prompting village volunteers deployed in the fringe village to retaliate, the police said.

Exchange of fire gradually spread to adjacent villages of Kadangband and Senjam Chirang, they said.

Koutruk village has been witness to intense gunfights between village volunteers of two warring communities since ethnic violence broke out on May 3 last year. It has been identified as one of the most vulnerable areas for gun attacks.

More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic strife between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis since May 3 last year.

Meanwhile, denouncing the killing, the Kangpokpi district-based Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) has called for a 12-hour shutdown in the district from noon of April 28.

Two CRPF personnel were killed and two others injured after militants attacked an IRBn (India Reserve Battalion) camp at Naranseina in Moirang police station area in Manipur early on Saturday.

Claiming that peace is being gradually restored in the state, Biren Singh highlighted the successful conduct of Lok Sabha elections, indicating increased confidence among people. He, however, lamented the targeting of security personnel who were deployed to protect the state’s people.

“It is unfortunate that our jawans are being targeted. They are here to protect us,” Singh said.

Congress chief spokesman Jairam Ramesh’s alleged pressure was exerted on voters to exercise franchise in favour of an NDA partner.

Ramesh had on April 26 shared a video on social media claiming that voters in Ukhrul district in Outer Manipur were being pressured to support the Naga People’s Front, BJP’s ally, instead of the Congress.

The Congress leader accused the security forces of not taking any action and lamented that such activities are taking place in one of “the most important elections of our lifetime”.

Addressing the ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kukis, Singh outlined government initiatives to restore peace, including the deployment of paramilitary forces, assistance for displaced persons, and reconciliation efforts through peace committees.

“The conflict should not have happened. The government took a lot of steps to contain the situation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spent three days in the state and talked to the communities. Steps have been taken for displaced people. The central government has provided help in every way,” he said.