Centre hails lifting of Manipur's economic blockade

The almost five-month-long economic blockade in Manipur was lifted after efforts made by the new BJP-led government in the state, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jitendra Singh said on Monday.

"The 130-day-long existing blockade in Manipur was lifted due to the dedicated efforts of new Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh".

The United Naga Council-imposed economic blockade of Manipur was lifted on March 19 midnight.

The blockade had been imposed on November 1 to protest against the creation of new districts in the state, causing widespread shortage of essential commodities in Manipur.

"Getting the blockade lifted was a priority for the BJP, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also made it clear that the day BJP forms its government in Manipur...its top priority will be to get the economic blockade lifted," Singh told mediapersons outside Parliament.

The lifting of the blockade followed an agreement reached during a tripartite meeting involving the Naga groups and representatives of the central and Manipur governments.

Commenting on the issue, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar, said that it was a matter of immense pride that the blockade which caused severe problems to the people, was lifted.

Stating that the BJP was able to fulfil its commitment, Javadekar said: "Our Chief Minister Biren Singh in his very first speech had appealed that the government should not be compelled to take action against the people who imposed the economic blockade."

"I am happy that the economic blockade was lifted through negotiations," said Javadekar.

--IANS

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