In continuing protests in Manipur, film and theatre artists started a sit-in here on Friday, demanding the arrest of a Naga leader who allegedly assaulted and molested an actor at a function in Chandel district on December 18.
The artists have vowed to intensify their protest if “Lt. Col.” R.P. Livingstone, belonging to the Isak Chishi Swu-Thuingaleng Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (an outfit fighting for establishing a sovereign state unifying all areas inhabited by Nagas in the northeast and Myanmar), is not arrested.
Meanwhile, the 72-hour blockade imposed by the United Naga Council has hit life in the Naga-dominated areas of Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel and Ukhrul districts. But it had little impact on the Kuki-dominated areas in these districts, and on Churachandpur district, official sources said. The blockade, a protest to counter the general strike held in the State demanding the arrest of Livingstone, has resulted in shortage of consumer items. The six-day strike has since been called off.
