CMs of Manipur, Nagaland meet Rajnath Singh

Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday.

Rajnath expressed grave concern over the continued blockade of National Highway-2 causing severe difficulties to the people of Manipur especially with regard to availability of essential commodities.

The Home Minister said that continued blockade is likely to adversely affect democratic process in the forthcoming elections by hampering movement of people, including election officials.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been making repeated efforts to find a way to have the NH-2 opened.

Tripartite talks with Government of Manipur and United Naga Council (UNC) were called on November 15, last year, at New Delhi to discuss the economic blockade, which was not attended by Government of Manipur.

On December 22, last year, Rajnath wrote to the Manipur Chief Minister to discharge his constitutional obligations of keeping National Highways open and ensure supplies of essential commodities.

40 additional Coys. of Central Para-Military Forces have been made available to Manipur as asked for by them in the month of December, last year, in addition to 135 Coys. of CAPFs already stationed there. Despite these repeated efforts of the Ministry, nothing substantive seems to have been done to remove the economic blockade.

The Home Minister said that it is the constitutional obligation of Manipur Government to maintain public order in the state, including maintenance of essential supplies and conducive atmosphere for holding elections.

He called upon the Chief Minister to discharge this obligation responsibly, in the interest of people of Manipur.

"If more forces are required for this, and that would be made available by Government of India. But it is critical that Government of Manipur should not be lacking in its will to restore normalcy," he said.

Rajnath made it clear that if the Manipur Government fails in its constitutional duties, Centre may have to explore other measures under the provisions of constitution to ensure that difficulties of people of Manipur are alleviated.

On request of the Home Minister, Chief Minister of Nagaland T. R. Zeliang also met the former on Wednesday.

The Home Minister sought his cooperation in keeping the NH-2 open between Dimapur and Mao Gate and not to allow disturbance on this vital route.