NEW DELHI: The economic blockade on the highways linking Manipur entered the 70th day on Monday with no sign of end despite the Centre sending security forces to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities to the north eastern state.
Home Ministry officials have expressed concern over the long blockade which is affecting normal life in Manipur, where prices of all goods have shot up to an unprecedented level.
“The Home Ministry is making every effort to see that people of Manipur are not inconvenienced. We have provided Central security forces so that supply line through alternative Jiribam-Imphal road is open,” an official said here.
The Centre is awaiting the report of the committee constituted by the Manipur government to look into the demands of the agitators who are blocking National Highway 53 and 39.
Sources said the Centre is unlikely to take any drastic move to remove the blockade in Manipur as it is ruled by a Congress government and Assembly elections there are due early next year.
Home Minister P Chidambaram had said last week that Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has constituted a district reorganisation commission to look into the demands of the agitating groups.
“The chief minister has requested them to be patient till the report of the commission comes. My appeal to both the groups is to wait for the report and withdraw the blockade,” he had said.The Sadar Hills District Demand Committee launched the economic blockade on Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati NH 53 and the Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar NH 39 since August 1 demanding conversion of the Kuki-majority Sadar hills area in Naga- majority Senapati district into a full-fledged district.
On the other hand, United Naga Committee, opposing the Kukis’ demand for granting district status to Sadar Hills, launched a counter-economic blockade on the same national highways on August 21.So far more than six vehicles have been set afire by supporters of the blockade while at least four persons including a driver were killed in blockade-related incidents.
Manipur Youth Affairs and Sports Minister N Biren, also the government spokesman, has claimed that prices of essential commodities have come down since loaded trucks were coming in with security escorts. (PTI)
