TAMENGLONG/IMPHAL, November 29 (NNN): There was intense confrontation between the economic blockade supporters of the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Manipur police personnel at Noney in Tamenglong district late this afternoon. As hundreds of loaded trucks heading for Imphal from Jiribam reached Noney area the UNC volunteers blocked the national highway, and as a result there was intense confrontation between the UNC volunteers and the police personnel. Reports said that the UNC volunteers pelted stones smashing windshields of trucks. Goods were seen strewn on the roads. As the goods laden trucks approached volunteers clanked lamp posts, and in response the waiting volunteers in large number filled the road confronting the incoming convoy of goods trucks and police. Over 500 goods laden trucks stranded at Jiribam in Manipur-Assam border were heading for Imphal when the confrontation happened. The volunteers blocked road by burning logs and piling boulders. Till the filing of this report, the trucks are still stranded at Noney as tyres of several vehicles have been deflated by blockade supporters. Earlier in the day, a large number of people were seen holding rallies in Noney and Nungba demanding the release of United Naga Council (UNC) President Gaidon Kamei and UNC Information Secretary SK Stephen. They are in the police custody of Manipur police since their arrest on November 25. In Nungba, the people carried out a day-long sit-in protest demanding the release of the UNC leaders. Reports from Chandel said that sit-in protest was held in the district headquarters organised by Anal civil society organisations demanding the release of the UNC leaders.
