In Manipur hill district shutdown cripples life after Lucy murder

A 12-hour total shutdown by the United Naga Council (UNC) in all hill districts against the killing of Lucy Marem disrupted normal life in Chandel, Tengnoupal and Tamenglong districts.
The killing of M. Lucy Marem on July 15 sparked outrage and mobilized people to seek justice. Many demanded that the culprits be brought to justice as soon as possible.
The bandh, which continued from 6 am to 6 pm on Monday, saw a large number of protesters take to the streets and block roads, including NH-102, especially near Pallel and its neighboring villages. Late in Bularam in Lucy’s hometown.
As a result of the shutdown, most of the roads in the two districts were deserted, all the institutions, including the government offices, remained closed. However, no untoward incident occurred during the shutdown.
M. Grace, Lucy’s sister-in-law who came out to support the bandh, spoke to the media.
She questioned the motives behind the murder of Lucy, who was in her 50s. Expressing deep sorrow and strong condemnation of the murder, Grace demanded immediate and exemplary punishment for the culprits involved.
Protesters on the streets carried placards saying “We strongly condemn the brutal killing of M. Lucy Marem Naga”, “Don’t play with the feelings of Naga people” and “Arrest the criminals, stop the killing of Nagas”. The messages were recorded. They also raised slogans like “We want justice, justice for M Lucy Marem”.
Meanwhile, all shops and markets, government offices, schools and institutions remained completely closed for 12 hours, in support of Joint Tribal Councils in Tamenglong district.
Roads in the city are blocked at several points and tires are being burnt at several places in the Tamenglong district headquarters.
Speaking to the Imphal Free Press, Joint Tribal Council convener Dr Aku said that Nagas, Kukis and Meiteis should remain neutral in the current ethnic clashes. He said that the 12-hour complete shutdown is not against any community but a condemnation of brutal murder.
A case should be registered against the culprits and action should be taken according to Naga law and customs. He added that such incidents should not happen again to any Naga in future.

Schools, colleges, banks, markets and businesses remained closed in Noni district as well.
All types of vehicles including local service were off road along NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road) including Bishnupur-Khoupam-Rengpang Road, Taminglong-Khongsang Road and I.T. Road
No untoward incident has occurred till the writing of this report.

It should be noted that the UNC emergency meeting held at the UNC Head Office on July 16 took serious notice of Lucy’s murder.
The UNC decided to demand the state government to immediately constitute a judicial inquiry committee and arrest the perpetrators of this crime and punish the culprits severely.
The UNC demanded that “the cold-blooded murder of Naga sister Lucy Marem should be brought to justice in accordance with Naga customary law.”