Following the expiry of the 3-day ultimatum served to the Manipur government July 2 (which expired on July 5), to recover the stolen vehicle and produce the four accused involved in the June 21 incident, Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO) has reportedly called for a ‘bandh’ along the Nagaland-Manipur national highway from Friday 6 p.m.

Confirming this, Kohima police sources told Nagaland Post that the youth organization has imposed a bandh along the Nagaland-Manipur highway, crossing their area from 6 p.m. Friday. Police, however could not ascertain whether it was an indefinite bandh.

Police personnel at Khuzama and Phesama check gates have stopped all Manipur bound vehicles for “safety and security reasons”, police sources added. However, sources on the other hand said that it was not a total bandh. 

In connection with the drugging of Keneinguto Mejura along with a friend and decamping with their belongings including a vehicle on June 21, SAYO president Peter Zashümo and action committee convenor Zaprani Mekro on July 2 urged the Manipur government to recover the stolen vehicle and produce the four accused before SAYO, within three days.

SAYO had earlier warned that negligence on the part of the state government would invite “heavy penalties” and that the SAYO would not regret its action. SAYO officials could not be contacted till the time of filing the report.

Meanwhile, police sources further disclosed that the vehicle was already recovered and that two people have already been arrested, adding, efforts were on to nab the other culprits.

Stating that it was the first time that Manipur police was actively cooperating with Nagaland police, police sources urged SAYO to understand the gravity of investigation that was on to nab the other accused.

However, police sources expressed dismay that many organizations resort to bandhs and blockades, taking law into their hands. As prescribed, any investigation takes 60-90 days and that public support/cooperation was very essential, police sources added.

It may be mentioned that on June 21 four miscreants under the pretext of hiring a Tata mobile from a parking area Kohima took the driver and his friend towards Tadubi, Senapati district and drugged the two through cool drinks at a wayside restaurant and later after both became unconscious, fled with the vehicle.