A 12-hour shutdown began at 6 am on Monday in the Naga areas in Manipur. The shutdown has been called by the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of Nagas in Manipur, to protest the killing of Lucy Maring.

The woman in her mid-50s was shot dead on Saturday evening in the Sawombung area, in Manipur’s Imphal East district.

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The UNC on Sunday demanded a judicial inquiry into the murder and “exemplary punishment” for the accused. The council is accusing the Meira Paibis and the Arambai Tenggol for the murder of the Naga woman.

“She was forcefully apprehended by the Meira Paibis (Women Torch Bearers) and handed over to the above mentioned Arambai Tenggol, the newly formed private militia known for their notoriety during the present conflict in Manipur,” UNC said in its statement.

The Council regretted that “such barbaric acts committed on innocent Nagas” when the “Nagas have maintained that peace must prevail and have lent our might toward this end.”

Meanwhile police officials have said that nine people were arrested in connection with the murder of a woman officials said on Monday. Among those arrested for the murder were five women, and two firearms were seized from them, officials said. The arrests were made from different parts of the district, they said.

Superintendent of Police (Imphal East) Ksh Shivakanta Singh said an investigation was underway, and if any other person was found involved in the murder, they would be arrested.

The Heikakmapal Village Development Committee said it would banish three accused from the locality.

(With inputs from PTI)