MetaBOT at 18:58, 8 July 2023

2023-07-08T18:58:58Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{update|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox event
| title = 2016 Manipur unrest
| image =
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| caption =
| native_name =
| motto =
| native_name_lang =
| english_name =
| time =
| duration =
| date = {{start date|df=yes|2016|11|1}} – {{end date|df=yes|2017|3|19}}
| venue =
| location = [[Manipur]], India
| coordinates = 
| also known as = Manipur blockade
| type = [[Demonstration (protest)|Protest]], economic blockade
| theme =
| cause = Opposition of the creation of seven new districts
| organisers = United Naga Council
| filmed by =
| participants =
| outcome =

| casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
| casualties3 =
| reported deaths = 3
| reported injuries = 14
| reported missing =
| reported property damage =
| burial =
| inquiries =
| inquest =
| coroner =
| arrests =
| suspects =
| accused =
| convicted =
| charges =
| verdict =
| convictions =
| publication bans =
| litigation =
| awards =
}}
From 1 November 2016, [[Manipur]], a state in north-east India faced economic blockade by United Naga Council. This blockade finally ended on 19 March 2017 midnight after discussion between government and UNC. The decision to lift the blockade was taken after the UNC, the state government and the Centre arrived at a consensus. The blockade ended after 139 days.

==Background==
[[Imphal]], the state capital of Manipur, is situated in a valley which has 90% of the population of the state. [[Meitei tribe|Meiteis]] are the majority in the valley. The hills which have 90% of the land of the state are mostly under the [[Naga tribe|Naga]], Kukis and the other hill tribes. The valley is reached by National Highways 2 and 37. There is another 100-km road from Moreh on the border of Myanmar. These roads pass through Naga inhabited hills. Manipur has a long history of armed insurgency and violence. Naga tribes have demand of Nagalim or a greater Nagaland which incorporates Naga-majority hill districts of Manipur as well as parts of [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Assam]] and [[Myanmar]] into the present-day state of [[Nagaland]]. In 2011, there was an economic blockade that continued for more than 100 days.<ref name="News18 2016">{{cite web | title=It's Advantage Ibobi Singh as Manipur Grapples With 'Economic Blockade' | website=News18 | date=25 December 2016 | url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/its-advantage-ibobi-singh-as-manipur-grapples-with-economic-blockade-1327436.html | accessdate=26 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="Livemint 2016">{{cite web | title=Manipur's old patterns of violence reignited | website=Livemint| date=22 December 2016 | url=http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/6uUQx0v9tAYH8dRnAzYfOJ/Manipurs-old-patterns-of-violence-reignited.html | accessdate=26 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="exv2016">{{cite web | title=Old faultlines, new crisis | website=The Indian Express | date=2016-12-26 | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/manipur-violence-result-of-anger-against-united-naga-council-divisive-politics-4444843/ | accessdate=2016-12-26}}</ref><ref name="Hariharan 2016">{{cite web | last=Hariharan | first=Hamsini | title=Formulating an Act Manipur policy | website=Livemint | date=21 December 2016 | url=http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/5Ug5tBg3Tc4CsXC7NM1LBP/Formulating-an-Act-Manipur-policy.html | accessdate=26 December 2016}}</ref>

==Unrest==
[[Tamenglong district|Tamenglong]], [[Senapati district|Senapati]], [[Ukhrul district|Ukhrul]] and [[Chandel district|Chandel]] are Naga-majority hill districts. The UNC opposed the creation of seven new districts in the state. United Naga Council (UNC) declared an economic blockade on 1 November 2016 in response. They alleged that the new districts encroach on the ancestral land of the Nagas and it is done to weaken their vote in the upcoming state assembly elections.<ref name="News18 2016"/><ref name="Livemint 2016"/>

They blocked National Highway 2 and 37 and stopped all trucks carrying supply to Imphal. The Trans-Asian Highway was also blocked. The blockade was continued as the 'total shutdown' when UNC president Gaidon Kamei and information secretary Stephen Lamkang were arrested on 25 November.<ref name="News18 2016"/><ref name="The Hindu 2016">{{cite web | title=Central forces rushed to Manipur | website=The Hindu | date=21 December 2016 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Central-forces-rushed-to-Manipur/article16915234.ece | accessdate=26 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="Laithangbam 2016"/>

The blockade was still ongoing as of 26 December 2016. It resulted in inflation in prices and shortages of food, fuel, medicines, gas and other essential supplies. Mobile internet has been suspended. [[Manipur Police|The police]] presence is increased and 4000 personnel of central paramilitary forces are sent by the [[Government of India]].<ref name="The Hindu 2016"/> The town remains under [[curfew]].<ref name="News18 2016"/><ref name="Livemint 2016"/><ref name="excv2016">{{cite web | title=On Christmas eve in Manipur, quiet churches, restless stranded students | website=The Indian Express | date=24 December 2016 | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/on-christmas-eve-in-manipur-quiet-churches-restless-stranded-students-4442197/ | accessdate=26 December 2016}}</ref>

There were incidents of assaults on members of Naga and Meitei tribes in their minority areas. The policemen were assaulted at some places; three were killed and 14 were injured. Some government offices were burnt down.<ref name="The Hindu 2016"/><ref name="The Indian Express 2016">{{cite web | title=Manipur: Three government offices burnt down | website=The Indian Express | date=23 December 2016 | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/manipur-three-government-offices-burnt-down-economic-blockade-united-naga-council-4441592/ | accessdate=26 December 2016}}</ref>

==Reaction==
A delegation of UNC leaders met Union Home Minister [[Rajnath Singh]] and asked to impose [[President's Rule]] in the state.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/United-Naga-Council-demands-President%E2%80%99s-rule-in-Manipur/article16913197.ece|title=United Naga Council demands President's rule in Manipur|last=PTI|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-03-12|language=en}}</ref><ref name="News18 2016"/> The chief minister of Manipur, [[Okram Ibobi Singh]], who leads [[Indian National Congress]] government in Manipur, requested to withdraw the blockade and discuss the demands. As UNC did not agree, he requested central government to hold tripartite talk<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Talks-to-end-economic-blockade-in-Manipur-fail/article17244721.ece|title=Talks to end economic blockade in Manipur fail|last=PTI|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-03-12|language=en}}</ref> s. On 15 November, the Manipur government backed out of talks held by the central government with UNC. The central government ruling [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] had requested UNC to withdraw the blockade.<ref name="PTI 2016">{{cite web | author=PTI | title=Manipur crisis: BJP asks UNC to immediately withdraw economic blockade in state | website=Firstpost | date=2016-12-26 | url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/manipur-crisis-bjp-asks-unc-to-immediately-withdraw-economic-blockade-in-state-3174900.html | accessdate=2016-12-26}}</ref><ref name="Laithangbam 2016">{{cite web | last=Laithangbam | first=Iboyaima | title=Cut-off Manipur has bigger worries than demonetisation | website=The Hindu | date=10 December 2016 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Cut-off-Manipur-has-bigger-worries-than-demonetisation/article16790445.ece | accessdate=26 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="PTIet2016">{{cite web | author=PTI | title=Blockades in Manipur a gross violation of law: Ministry of Home Affairs warns | website=The Economic Times | date=12 December 2016 | url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/blockades-in-manipur-a-gross-violation-of-law-ministry-of-home-affairs-warns/articleshow/55938699.cms | accessdate=26 December 2016}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=2010s in Manipur, 2016 in India, 2016 protests, Northeast India
|description=
}}

[[Category:2010s in Manipur]]
[[Category:2016 in India]]
[[Category:2016 protests]]
[[Category:Northeast India]]

2016 Manipur unrest - Revision history

MetaBOT at 18:58, 8 July 2023