Jiribam (Manipur) : In Manipur, two trucks transporting food and essential supplies to tribal districts were reportedly set on fire by suspected militants on the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37) on Wednesday, according to police reports. The trucks, bound for Noney, Longmai, and Tamenglong districts and carrying rice, potatoes, and onions, were burned at Old Kaiphundai.
Following the incident, the Rongmei Naga community announced a boycott of supplies to the Kuki community in the affected Tamenglong and Noney districts until further notice. They condemned the attack, stating it was an assault on their community’s well-being.
The Rongmei Naga people have urged the Jiribam police to ensure unimpeded movement for all vehicles on NH-37, emphasizing that it falls within their jurisdiction and they have maintained peace for travellers.
While appreciating the Manipur government’s measures to secure convoys for vehicles carrying essential goods, the Rongmei Naga Students’ Organisation (RNSOM) condemned the attack, alleging it was carried out by armed Kuki militants who fired “hundreds of rounds” before setting the trucks ablaze. This incident marks the second attack along NH-37, following a previous incident in Kaimai. The RNSOM claimed this attack is a deliberate effort to undermine the Rongmei community’s presence in their own territory and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding their rights and safety amid ongoing regional tensions.
NH-37, along with Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2), serves as a crucial route for transporting food, medicines, essential supplies, fuel, and construction materials to Manipur from various parts of India through Assam and Nagaland.