Normal life has been disrupted in Manipur with demonstrations out demanding a separate state to be created comprising the Naga dominated districts in its territory. The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of Nagas in Manipur called for a shutdown in all Naga dominated areas situated in the northern part of the state. It has asserted that Greater Nagalim should not be carved out without its consent. It shows a fragmentation of the Naga cause. The UNC is not in accord with the NSCN (IM) on the redefining of the Nagaland boundary. The ethnic element is very strong in Manipur and the Nagas there are in constant feud with the Kukis and the Meities. A Naga state in Manipur will be unviable like Gorkhaland but feeling runs high even taking precedence of militancy.
The UNC has imposed three economic blockades in three National Highways preventing movement of vehicles along the state’s lifeline. Although such blockades cause great suffering to the common people of the state including Nagas, this seems a usual political weapon. Manipur is dependent on supplies from outside. Trucks carry essential commodities and other goods from the rest of India on highways connecting the state with Nagaland and Assam. Diesel and petrol are already in short supply. The crisis has been aggravated by a separate blockade called by the Sadar Hill District Congress Committee. The courts have suspended work. The state government has arranged security escorts with over a hundred trucks. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is in talks with Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram. It is hoped that the tension will ease shortly
