Naga Bandh Sparks Highway Standoff in Manipur

Imphal: Liangmai Naga volunteers shut down National Highway-2 early Wednesday morning. The blockade hit the Kanglatongbi area of Manipur, grinding traffic to a halt. Stranded goods trucks lined the road as protesters blocked private vehicles from passing through. The trouble started at 1:30 am when volunteers intercepted a convoy carrying 30 Kuki men escorted by security forces from Imphal International Airport to Kangpokpi.

Tension exploded into a standoff between the protesters and the security personnel on the scene. Security teams fired tear gas and mock bombs to break up the crowd. No one got hurt. The chaos follows long-simmering anger over the deaths of six Liangmai Naga men last year. Armed Kuki militants allegedly killed the men on May 13, 2026. Their bodies appeared later near Leilon Vaiphei village on June 10 with clear signs of mutilation.

Naga groups now demand justice and police action. The incident highlights the volatile security situation as protesters push for answers. As one official statement noted, "Naga organisations have since been demanding justice for the victims and stronger action against those responsible for the killings."