Movement along National Highway-2 in Manipur was severely affected after Kuki and Naga groups enforced shutdowns and economic blockades linked to rising ethnic tensions in the state. Hundreds of trucks and vehicles were reportedly stranded as the protest disrupted one of the region’s key transport routes.

The blockade was reportedly connected to protests over missing persons and recent incidents of violence involving members of the Kuki and Naga communities. The shutdown led to transport disruptions across several areas, affecting the supply chain and movement of passengers.

Security forces intensified operations in Kangpokpi district following reports that several civilians had been held hostage by armed groups. Reports said six Naga and 14 Kuki individuals were among those allegedly abducted, prompting strong reactions from community organisations.

The United Naga Council announced an indefinite inter-district economic blockade, alleging that the state government had failed to ensure the safe release of the hostages. Protest actions and shutdown calls by tribal organisations added to the tense situation across parts of the state.

Manipur has witnessed continuing ethnic unrest since 2023, with tensions involving Meitei, Kuki-Zo and Naga groups periodically leading to clashes, shutdowns and blockades. Recent incidents have further widened concerns over security and stability in the hill districts and adjoining areas.

Authorities have deployed additional security personnel in sensitive areas, while efforts are underway to restore normal movement along the highway. Further details are awaited from officials regarding the duration of the blockade and the ongoing security operations.

The newly formed government in West Bengal has announced that welfare schemes linked to religious identity, including monthly honorariums for imams, muezzins and temple priests, will be discontinued from June.

The policy marks a major shift from the earlier Trinamool Congress government, which had introduced financial assistance programmes for religious functionaries after coming to power in the state.

According to reports, the first such scheme was launched in 2012, under which registered imams in West Bengal received a monthly honorarium of Rs 2,500. Similar support was later extended to muezzins and Hindu temple priests.

The new administration led by Suvendu Adhikari has maintained that government welfare initiatives should not be distributed on the basis of religion.

The announcement comes shortly after the BJP formed the government in West Bengal following the recent Assembly elections.

The decision is expected to trigger political debate in the state, as the honorarium schemes had remained a key issue in Bengal politics for several years.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested Aam Aadmi Party leader Deepak Singla after carrying out searches at multiple locations in Delhi and Goa in connection with an alleged bank fraud-linked money laundering case.

Singla, who serves as the AAP’s Goa co-incharge, was questioned for several hours before being taken into custody by the agency. Officials said the searches were conducted by the ED’s Delhi Zonal Office-2.

The development comes months before the Goa Assembly elections scheduled next year and has triggered a strong reaction from the AAP leadership.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal claimed that Singla was being targeted for political reasons and alleged that he was arrested because he refused to join the BJP.

Reacting to the ED action, Atishi accused the BJP of using central agencies against opposition parties in poll-bound states. She alleged that the raids were aimed at intimidating party workers and accessing the party’s organisational data in Goa.

Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia also criticised the Centre and alleged misuse of institutions such as the ED and CBI against opposition leaders.

According to reports, this is not the first time Deepak Singla has faced scrutiny from the ED. In 2024, the agency had also conducted searches at his residence in connection with the same alleged money laundering investigation.