Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal

Imphal, Sep 1: Four Naga villages in Manipur's Kangpokpi district came under attack on Tuesday, with several houses reportedly burnt and a pastor critically injured, while a shutdown over demands for implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) disrupted normal life across five Imphal Valley districts.

The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long said attacks were carried out in Makui Pipuram, Lower Tapon, Middle Tapon and Upper Tapon villages. It said pastor Luithuibou Newmai sustained grievous bullet injuries in the violence.

The Naga organisation alleged that some Kuki insurgent groups, which had signed the Suspension of Operations agreement with the central government, were behind the attacks. It appealed to the Naga community to set aside differences and unite to protect their land, identity and people.

The committee said Nagas were closely monitoring what it described as continued attacks against them and warned that the state and central governments would be held responsible if the situation escalated beyond control.

Meanwhile, the 24-hour shutdown was called by the Meitei civil society and student-led Campaign for Just and Free Delimitation, which is demanding that the NRC be implemented before the census and delimitation exercises.

The Centre on Monday deferred census operations in Manipur amid the prevailing situation surrounding the NRC demand. The Manipur High Court had also directed that the census exercise be deferred until further orders.

However, organisations in the Imphal Valley supporting the NRC demand have continued to seek an assurance from the Centre. The United Naga Council, the apex Naga organisation in Manipur, has also demanded that the NRC be implemented before the census and delimitation exercises.

The shutdown left the Imphal Valley largely deserted, with shops, markets, commercial establishments and educational institutions remaining closed. Attendance at government offices was also reported to be thin.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had on Monday appealed to groups and organisations to refrain from calling bandhs, saying such actions would cause hardship to the public. He urged all sides to continue with dialogue to resolve their concerns.