Tension resurfaced along National Highway-2 in Manipur on Monday after a rumour about Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen’s travel prompted a blockade at Kanglatongbi and led protesters to mistakenly target the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho. The blockade disrupted the NH-2, the main link between Imphal and Dimapur via Kohima, and heightened communal anxieties in the area.
Protesters blocked the highway early in the morning by placing boulders and trees on the road, reportedly intending to prevent Kipgen from travelling to Imphal Airport. Kipgen is from the Kuki community; Losii Dikho is a Naga leader. In the confusion, demonstrators intercepted Dikho’s motorcade instead of the alleged target.
Though the vehicles were able to move through, protesters pelted them with stones, damaging two vehicles — one belonging to the Deputy Chief Minister and another to the Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me (PNTM). The PNTM, also known as the Poumai Naga Students’ Union, said marked vehicles carrying its student leaders were attacked at Namdilong gate in Kanglatongbi, with officials’ identity cards visible as the vehicles were reportedly targeted with stones and catapults.
Following the incident, the Imphal West superintendent of police led a security team to disperse the crowd. A brief confrontation occurred when security personnel tried to make arrests; state police and Central forces conducted searches in the area, but no immediate arrests were reported. The PNTM has sought intervention from the United Naga Council (UNC) to protect community unity and prevent further escalation.
The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC‑M) later apologised, saying there was no intent to disrespect Dikho or the PNTM and urging volunteers not to act on unverified information. The episode comes amid recurring tensions between Naga and Kuki‑Zo communities, with recent clashes in hill districts such as Ukhrul, Kamjong and Kangpokpi involving deaths, arson in remote villages and disruptions on key highways. Authorities say the incident underscores the dangers of unverified rumours in an already volatile security environment and the ongoing challenge of keeping the Imphal‑Dimapur highway open and safe.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur/manipur-nemcha-kipgen-travel-rumour-triggers-nh-2-blockade-protesters-mistakenly-attack-losii-dikhos-convoy.html
Category: Manipur,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2026-08-18 10:21:00
