Thousands of trucks remained stranded along National Highway-2 in Manipur as rival blockades and shutdowns by Kuki and Naga organisations continued, severely affecting the movement of essential supplies and passenger vehicles across the state.

The crisis follows tensions triggered by the May 13 ambush incident in the hill districts, which led to allegations of abduction and detention from both communities. The parallel protests have disrupted transport on NH-2, considered one of Manipur’s key lifelines connecting the state with Nagaland.

The United Naga Council announced an inter-district economic blockade in Naga-inhabited areas, claiming that several Naga civilians, including pastors, are still missing despite search operations and repeated appeals to authorities.

At the same time, Kuki Inpi Manipur extended its shutdown for another 48 hours, alleging that the government had failed to rescue missing Kuki persons reportedly taken hostage in Senapati district.

The prolonged blockade has caused major hardship for truck drivers and passengers stranded on the highway, with reports of shortages of food, drinking water and other essentials. Local residents, Assam Rifles personnel and transport unions have been assisting stranded travellers with relief materials.

Officials said security forces have intensified search and domination operations in vulnerable areas of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts following intelligence inputs regarding militant movement. Surveillance and combing operations have also been stepped up in sensitive hill regions to restore normalcy.

Authorities earlier stated that over 38 people were initially reported missing after the violence, though 32 individuals have since returned safely. Efforts are continuing to trace those who are still unaccounted for.

The new government in West Bengal has approved several pending land proposals linked to border security and infrastructure development along the India-Bangladesh border. The decision comes weeks after the BJP-led administration under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari assumed office in the state.

According to reports, the state cabinet has decided to release more than 600 acres of land for fencing work across border districts. Officials said the move is aimed at strengthening security along the nearly 2,200-km India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal, where fencing work on several stretches had remained incomplete.

Sources said around 1,600 km of the border is already fenced, while work on the remaining stretches had faced delays over land acquisition and administrative clearances during the previous Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee.

The state government has also reportedly approved the transfer of nearly 120 acres near the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the “Chicken’s Neck” area, to strengthen national security infrastructure in North Bengal.

Apart from border-related projects, the Bengal cabinet has cleared the handover of seven highway stretches to the National Highways Authority of India and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited for development work. Officials said the projects had been pending for nearly a year due to the absence of formal approvals.

The highway projects are expected to improve connectivity across North Bengal and border districts including Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia and North 24 Parganas. The upgraded routes are also likely to strengthen links with Sikkim, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

The decision is expected to formally take effect after agreements are signed between the state government and the Border Security Force in the coming weeks.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M. K. Stalin has reportedly told party district secretaries to remain prepared for a possible political change in the state, claiming that the government led by Vijay “can fall anytime”.

According to reports, Stalin made the remarks during an internal interaction with party functionaries following the recent political developments in Tamil Nadu. He reportedly asked DMK leaders and cadres to stay ready for elections at any moment amid speculation over the stability of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government.

The comments come days after Vijay’s TVK formed the government in Tamil Nadu following a dramatic post-election phase. TVK had emerged as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections but initially faced uncertainty over securing enough support to form the government.

Stalin questions TVK’s political rise

Stalin also reportedly criticised TVK’s campaigning style and suggested that the party gained influence through social media outreach and youth engagement. He maintained that despite the electoral defeat, DMK’s welfare schemes and governance legacy still continue to influence the state.

The DMK leader is also said to have announced a review process within the party to assess the reasons behind its election setback and gather constituency-level feedback from workers and the public.

Political tensions continue in Tamil Nadu

The political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu has remained tense since the Assembly election results. Several reports over the past week have highlighted intense negotiations, alliance discussions, and concerns around government stability before Vijay finally took oath as Chief Minister.

Some DMK leaders have also publicly questioned the durability of the new administration, adding to the political confrontation between the two camps.