Imphal: Manipur remained cut off completely for the third day on Monday owing to a blockade called by the Kuki State Demand Committee.
The stir that began on November 17 evening blocked traffic on national and district highways.
So far about ten trucks which were coming towards Imphal were stoned by strike supporters, damaging those badly. Police said trucks coming towards Imphal were stranded at Senapati and Jiribam.
Security personnel were deployed on the highways but they could not facilitate free movement of vehicles.
Only those travelling on foot and those dealing with emergency services were allowed on the roads.
Trading activities at border town of Moreh was also severely affected.
KSDC information secretary George Guite said if there was no positive response from the government by this afternoon a meeting will be held later to decide the future course of action.
The committee wants a written assurance from the Union government that the process of political dialogue with Kukis, involving KSDC and Kuki militants, would begin within a pre-determined date.
The Committee had also submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh informing him that the NSCN(IM) had ‘resorted to killings in Manipur in which hundreds of Kukis had died and thousands rendered homeless’.
Hectic political activity was on as it is feared that the government might concede to some of the demands of the NSCN(IM) before the Nagaland elections scheduled in March next. As Manipur is multi-ethnic any political decision has to be taken with due caution, according to the civil societies.
People of the state face hardships due to blockades. Last year four months of blockade had crippled life.
Officials said over 150 trucks were sent on Monday under heavy security from Imphal to bring essential commodities. Due to the blockade there was heavy rush in oil depots. There is adequate stock of goods but prolonged blockade may create problems. There was heavy rush at airlines booking counters. (UNI)