Naga women's body agitates in Manipur

Imphal -  The Naga Women’s Union (NWU), Manipur, Thursday held a "public curfew" programme in all the four Naga dominated districts of Manipur demanding unconditional release of a top member of the NSCN-IM.

They are demanding the release of Anthony Shimray, the head of foreign affairs of Naga ceasefire group National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah.

It is believed that Shimrey was arrested by Indian authorities in Kathmandu in September 2010 on charges of helping other militant outfits of the northeastern states in procuring arms and ammunition despite being in ceasefire with the government of India. Shimrey had been languishing in Tihar jail since then.

All the four Naga dominated districts - Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, and Chandel - were affected due to the public curfew. However, there was no report of any violent incidents from anywhere. The "curfew" affected normal life in the four districts as everything from offices to markets remained closed and vehicular traffic in both the National Highways -- NH 39 and NH 53-- connecting Manipur with the rest of India came to a standstill.

A senior leader of the NWU, Aram Panmei, told IANS Thursday said that the organization will continue with their agitation until the government of India decides to release Shimrey unconditionally.

“The arrest of Shimrey is affecting the ongoing peace process between the NSCN-IM and the government of India. So, the government of India must release him unconditionally and at the earliest,” Panmei said.