On February 21, confrontations occurred between Assam Rifles (AR) and the local residents of Senapati District in Manipur following the arrest of a National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) militant reports Eastern Mirror. Demanding the release of the militant, women groups blocked the National Highway from Kangpokpi to Senapati. Strike was also declared in all the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur.
Another source reports that NSCN (IM) on February 20, had captured an AR Captain and seized his weapon when the latter was trying to arrest some NSCN boys from Senapati bazaar. However, at the intervention of civil society organizations, the captain was released and his weapon returned.