United Naga Council Intensifies Economic Blockade Across Manipur

The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body in Manipur, intensified its indefinite economic blockade across the state from 1 am on Wednesday, stopping goods-laden vehicles on several major national highways. The blockade is affecting NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur), NH-202 (Jessami), NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar) and NH-102A (Tadubi-Ukhrul), according to the UNC. The escalation follows a decision taken at the UNC’s Emergency Presidential Council meeting in Ukhrul on September 2. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the council said it had reviewed the state government’s response to the abduction and killing of six Naga civilians at Leilon Vaiphei on May 13, 2026. The UNC alleged that the victims were mutilated and dismembered. The council accused the government of failing to ensure justice and demanded immediate action against those responsible, along with the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen. Essential services, including medical supplies, media, power, telecommunications and water supply, have been exempted from the blockade, the UNC said. The economic blockade was initially launched on May 17 following an ultimatum over the abduction of 18 Naga civilians. It was later escalated into an indefinite highway shutdown after the bodies of six civilians were recovered. The issue has also triggered political pressure within the state government. Nine Naga legislators abstained from the final sitting of the Assembly session on September 7, protesting the lack of progress in the case and demanding the suspension or removal of Kipgen pending a thorough investigation.