A 24-hour total shutdown organized by the United Naga Council (UNC) in protest of the killing of six Naga civilians caused significant disruptions in Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur. The shutdown, called from 6 a.m. on June 11 to 6 a.m. on June 12, aimed to condemn the abduction and subsequent killing of the villagers by armed groups from different tribal communities.
The shutdown led to the closure of shops, markets, government and private offices, educational institutions, and financial establishments, impacting daily activities in the region. Private vehicles and passenger transport services were also notably affected by the protest.
The UNC urged citizens to observe the shutdown peacefully and show support for the Naga community until justice is served to the victims and their families. The tribal body declared that it would not accept the bodies of the six Naga hostages until their demands, including the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, are met.
Key demands include the immediate arrest and prosecution of Kuki National Front cadres involved in the abduction and killing of Naga civilians, as well as justice from both the Manipur government and the Centre.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, along with other state leaders and organizations, strongly condemned the killings. The cases related to the incidents have been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation. The recovery of the bodies of the six Naga civilians occurred shortly after the release of 14 Kuki hostages who were in captivity for nearly four weeks.
