Newmai News Network Senapati | January 9 A high volatile situation was witnessed in the whole of Senapati Town today affecting normal life following the detention of All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) leaders by the 34 Assam Rifles. They were released later but only after the furious Naga public intervened. According to reports, at around 2:00 pm today, ANSAM President Seth Shathsang, Finance Secretary Joseph Adani, and Executive Secretary AC Thotso were “arrested” by the Assam Rifles personnel from Taphou area of Senapati Town. Reports said that volunteers of United Naga Council (UNC) and ANSAM were enforcing the economic blockade when the incident happened. The economic blockade supporters had halted some trucks traveling along with an Army convoy. This had prompted the blockade supporters to examine those trucks. However, in no time the 34 Assam Rifles came up from Henbung post and whisked the ANSAM leaders away from the area. ANSAM President Seth Shatsang informed Newmai News Network that they had been noticing trucks with the label ‘On Army Duty’ plying along the highway, which they realized later were “fake” labels. These trucks often tail the Army convoy, Seth Shatsang further alleged. The ANSAM President clarified that military/Army convoys or transports do not come under the purview of the economic blockade. “However, we will not allow those trucks with fake labels,” he asserted. On learning about the incident, Naga frontal organization leaders and the public rushed to the Henbung Assam Rifles post and intervened. The three ANSAM leaders were released shortly. Back in Senapati Town, as the news of the detention of the ANSAM leaders spread, all the shops and other business establishments promptly closed. In no time, a large number of people gathered at Traffic Point in the heart of the town and held a meeting on the matter. Sources quoting Assam Rifles sources revealed that the incident happened due to a communication gap. After the release of the ANSAM leaders, they were taken to the Senapati Traffic Point where a public meeting was held. The ANSAM President addressed the gathering there on the incident.
