UNC calls off economic blockade in Manipur

Days after the Manipur Government announced lifting of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC from Ukhrul district, the United Naga Council (UNC) called off its eight-day long economic blockade on September 11.

This came a day after senior officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held a meeting with UNC leaders.

Earlier, the state government had taken the decision to withdraw the restrictive section after reviewing the law and order situation in the area.

The security forces deployed in Ukhrul will be gradually withdrawn as well.

"We will definitely review the situation and on a daily basis we are monitoring how to handle the present situation. Not only in Ukhrul, wherever it is necessary, maybe senapati, or Imphal east or west or maybe Tamenglong, Churachandpur, we will take up appropriate action," said Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Meanwhile, the UNC's shutdown along the National Highways and the ban on national projects in the Naga inhabited areas in Manipur created inconvenience for the local people.

The blockade on National Highways affected the supply of essential commodities in the state.

The security forces escorted the trucks to Jiribam along the Imphal-Silchar road to bring back supplies to Imphal.

"The government has said that they will provide security escorts to all the vehicles. And all of these trucks have been requisitioned by the Manipur government," AMTDU General Secretary H Kulamani Singh said.

"All together around 28 vehicles will be providing escorts for the trucks, which will be going from here and again coming back from Jiribam," added K Jayanta Singh, the security team's Commanding Officer.

The Union Home Ministry took immediate action and rushed additional paramilitary forces, which were deployed along the National and State Highways and near the national projects, to maintain law and order.

Special Secretary in the Home Ministry, Prakash Mishra, and Joint Secretary (Northeast) Shambhu Singh also visited the state to review the situation and held talks with the Chief Minister and other top officials and security personnel.

"We are giving emphasis on maintenance of supplies to the valley. That is of importance because we don't want the people of Manipur to suffer because of this shutdown call," said Prakash Mishra.

"First we have to find out exactly what do they want. Our special secretary will be meeting some of them and after that we will see what is required to be done," added Shambhu Singh.

Frequent blockades on highways have resulted in economic loss and inconvenience to the people of Manipur.