Manipur: Shutdown over abduction of youths disrupts normal life in valley districts

Guwahati: Normal life was disrupted in the Imphal Valley districts of Manipur on Wednesday following a shutdown called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) over the abduction of two Meitei youths.

The committee was formed after the abduction of the two youths reportedly from the state’s Kangpokpi district.

All shops and business establishments remained closed while vehicular traffic was off roads in the five valley districts – Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching.

Protestors were seen blocking roads in all the five districts.

Women blocked the National Highway-102, connecting Imphal with Dimapur in Nagaland, in Thoubal district’s Yairipok, Wangjing, Mela Ground and Khangabok areas.  

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However, no report of any major incident of violence was reported from any of these districts except demonstration by women and burning of tyres by youths at the Mela Ground area of Thoubal district, and enforcing shutdown in Imphal East district’s Lamlong and Khurai areas.

Three youths - Ningombam Johnson Singh, Oinam Thoithoi Singh and Thokchom Thoithoiba Singh - were allegedly abducted by militants from Kangpokpi district on September 27, 2024.

The trio, all hailing from Thoubal district, had gone to the New Keithelmanbi area in Imphal West district for the SSC GD recruitment test for central forces.

However, they lost their way and strayed into Kangpokpi from where they were allegedly abducted by armed men.

One of the three youths, Ningombam Johnson Singh, was rescued by the Indian Army the same day while the other two are still missing.