ZUF accuses NSCN-IM of extorting money and goods from daily commuters along NH-37

The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has accused the NSCN-IM of extorting money and goods fromdaily commuters along National Highway-37 through six to seven illegal check posts allegedly set up along the highway.

"The Front has verified and confirmed that six toseven illegal check posts have been forcibly imposed along National Highway-37 by NSCN-IM cadres and their proxies.

These elements arebeing used to extort money and goods from daily commuters, transporters, and innocent civilians, causing serious concern and inconvenience tothe general public," ZUF stated in a press release issued on Wednesday.

The statement comes a week after tank truck drivers plying National Highway-37 informed the Chief Minister of Manipur about alleged extortion and looting along the Imphal-Jiribam road.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, the drivers stated that during their journey from Jiribam to Imphal, they were allegedly forced to pay ₹500 at Awangkhul, ₹3,500 at Kambiron, ₹500 atNungba, ₹1,200 at Jiribam Parking, ₹500 at Noney, and between ₹500 and ₹5,000 at Oninamlong.

In the release, ZUF stated that the setting up of such check posts was a calculated and deliberate attempt to spread panic, misery, andsuffering among the public.

ZUF also claimed that the NSCN-IM has been carrying out a campaign to lure and recruit Zeliangrong youths as "volunteers" in the name of a war with the Kukis, allegedly to create confusion, fear, and division within society incollusion with the Kamson Group and certain self-styled individuals and organizations.

"Thus, ill-motivated Zeliangrong youths are being manipulated to act against their own people," the release stated.

ZUF further alleged that the political maturity, goodwill, and unity of the Zeliangrong people have been undermined by what it described as resentful attempts to destroy mutual understanding, progress, and prosperity.

Stating that the Front has, since its inception, worked tirelessly to uphold peace, unity, and peaceful coexistence among all communities inthe state, the release added that these "anti-social elements" are deliberately creating serious unrest in Zeliangrong areas and sabotaging the peace process in pursuit of the alleged selfish and expansionist interests of the NSCN-IM.

Therefore, ZUF stated that it is compelled to flush out every anti-Zeliangrong element operating in Zeliangrong areas. The Front warned that any individual, group, organization, or volunteer found to be working with the NSCN-IM and the Kamson Group would do so at their own peril.

"There will be no further warning. Concerned members of the public are appealed to refrainfrom spreading provocative propaganda and misgivings on social media," the release stated.

Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to defend the life, property, and dignity of the Zeliangrong people at all costs, ZUF called upon all communities to stand together and cooperatein what it described as a fight for a shared, peaceful, and dignified future.