Rajnath raps Manipur, Nagaland for blockade on NH-2

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday came down heavily on the governments of Manipur and Nagaland for failing to resolve the economic blockade on the National Highway-2, which has throttled the supply of essential goods to the two states.

In a scathing letter to Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, Rajnath Singh said the state government had taken no steps to ensure that the NH-2 is kept open or at least movement of the convoy is made despite MHA officials being in constant touch with state officials.

"As you are well aware, 'law and order' is a subject which falls under the state government by virtue of the 7th Schedule of the Constitution. The government of India can only assist the state government, in case such assistance is required and asked for. MHA has responded to the request for deployment of extra forces in Manipur to assist state forces and 30 convoys have been made available to the state government for this purpose," the letter read.

"For the sake of people of Manipur, I call upon you to discharge these constitutional obligations with utmost promptness, while reiterating Government of India's commitment to support your forces in keeping NH-2 open," it added.

Similarly, in a strongly worded letter to Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang, Rajnath Singh said, "There have been some reports of the NSF calling for blockage of vehicles even in the portion of NH2 which passes through Nagaland."

"I would request you to ensure that there is no disturbance of movement of vehicles going through your state, to enable supplies to pass safely through your state," it added.