Manipur: 93-days old long economic blockade ended today

The 93-days old economic blockade on two national highways in Manipur ended early Tuesday morning after the government agreed to upgrade Sadar Hills to a full-fledged district.

The protestors lifted the blockade on NH 39 and NH 53 that was crippling the economy of the state in the absence of transportation.

It should be noted that yesterday, one of the sponsors, Sadar Hills District Demand Committee, called for a 48-hour bandh in five hill districts to mount pressure on the government.

A spokesman of the SHDDC had said a 48-hour bandh has been called in Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Churachandpur districts.

It was to be followed by an indefinite general strike and bandh in the Sadar Hills in Senapati district till the government agreed to its demand, he said.

It has been blockading the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati (NH 39) and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar (NH 53) since August 1.

Opposing this, the United Naga Council, blockaded the two national highways since August 21.

The efforts to ferry in supplies from outside the state by security forces were being disturbed by volunteers picketing on the national highways, official sources said.

This has resulted in suffering for a population of 27 lakh in the state which is spread over 22,327 square kilometres.

The cabinet had met seven times on the issue of Sadar Hills in the past two months, but could not take a decision fearing an ethnic clash between Nagas and Kukis, they said.

Over 1000 people were killed in the early 1990s in Kuki-Naga clashes in hill districts because the Nagas wanted to drive out Kukis from Naga-settled areas, they added.

The price of cooking gas which cost about Rs 400 has gone upto Rs 1650 per cylinder, petrol which costs Rs 50 per litre has gone upto Rs 120 or more in the black market.

Prices of onions, potatoes, and other essentials have also shot up considerably.

Home Minister P Chidambaram had appealed to the agitating groups in Manipur to withdraw their blockade of national highways and assured action on the report of the District Reorganisation Commission (DRC).

"My appeal to all groups, especially the Kuki groups and other groups agitating for a separate district to be curved out of Jiribam, that they should suspend their agitation and allow the DRC to look into the matter and give its report," he told reporters here.

Chidambaram had also assured all groups that the Central government would certainly urge the Manipur government to act on the report of the DRC, once it is made available.