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.

Petrol and diesel prices were increased by around 90 paise per litre on Tuesday, marking the second fuel price hike within a week across the country. The latest revision comes days after oil marketing companies had raised fuel prices by Rs 3 per litre.

In Delhi, petrol is now being sold at Rs 98.64 per litre, while diesel costs Rs 91.58 per litre. Fuel prices also rose across other metro cities including Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

Mumbai recorded petrol prices at Rs 107.59 per litre and diesel at Rs 94.08 per litre after the latest revision. In Kolkata, petrol climbed to Rs 109.70 per litre, while diesel reached Rs 96.07 per litre. Chennai saw petrol prices increase to around Rs 104.46 per litre and diesel to Rs 96.11 per litre.

The fresh increase follows the earlier Rs 3 per litre hike announced last week amid rising international crude oil prices and supply concerns linked to tensions in West Asia.

According to reports, public sector oil marketing companies have been facing financial pressure due to rising global crude prices. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had recently indicated that state-run fuel retailers were incurring heavy losses by selling petrol and diesel below market-linked rates.

Fuel prices in India are revised daily based on the dynamic pricing mechanism, which takes into account international crude oil prices, currency fluctuations and global market conditions.

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.