New Delhi/kohima: The Centre has asked the Manipur government for proper utilisation of 17,500 paramilitary personnel sent to the state to reopen a national highway which was blocked for nearly two months by a Naga group.
In a communication, the Home Ministry conveyed to the Manipur government to “re-arrange and utilise” the 175 companies of paramilitary forces which were already made available to the state to ensure removal of the blockade.
Meanwhile, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Tuesday temporarily suspended its eight-day-long total blockade of all Manipur-bound vehicles with immediate effect taking into consideration the assurance of Manipur government and the Centre’s request.
Naga Students’ Federation president Subenthung Kithan and assistant general secretary Kesosul Christopher Ltu said the decision was taken in view of the communiqué received from the Chief Secretary of Manipur through the Chief Secretary of Nagaland with assurance to provide safety and security to Nagas in Manipur.
If necessary, few more companies will also be sent to Manipur to assist the state government in maintaining law and order, official sources said on Tuesday.
A company of paramilitary force comprises of about 100 personnel.
The Home Ministry last week sent additional 4,000 paramilitary personnel to Manipur, thus taking the total number of central security personnel deployed in the sensitive north-eastern state to 17,500.
While the National Highway-37 is reopened, the NH-2 is yet to be reopened.
The security personnel were sent to the north-eastern state keeping in view the security situation in the wake of violence following the blockade imposed by the Union Naga Council (UNC) on the National Highways since Nov 1.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who visited the Congress-ruled state as a Central emissary, said it is completely unacceptable to have such kinds of blockades in which thousands are suffering and both the Central and Manipur governments will work together to end it. (PTI)
