Indefinite suspension of Barak River boat service from Aug 17
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 16 2025:
Barak Valley Boat Association (BVBA) has condemned what it termed an arbitrary arrest of motorboat driver Thanglienlal Hmar and his brother Lalrosang Hmar of Moinathol, Cachar district, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) .
The association, in a statement, said that Thanglienlal, a respected church elder with no criminal background who earns his livelihood operating a motorboat on the Barak River, and his brother are innocent civilians.
Their arrest was politically motivated, unjust and unwarranted, reflecting bias and undue appeasement of the majority Meetei community in Manipur by central agencies and authorities, it alleged.
In protest, the association declared a total and indefinite suspension of all motorboat services on the Barak River from August 17 .
The association urged all concerned to support and respect the bandh, warning it would not be held responsible for any untoward incidents during the period.
Demanding immediate and unconditional release of the two men, BVBA called on NIA and other law enforcement agencies not to succumb to what it described as the arm-twisting tactics of the majoritarian Meetei community.




