Governor promises blockade-free Manipur

Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla on Tuesday promised that the newly installed BJP-led government will ensure a blockade-free state that only till Sunday was reeling under a four-month-long economic closure.

The northeastern state had been reeling under an economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) since November 1 before the protesting group agreed to lift the closure on March 19.

"The brotherly relations among the different communities shall be cemented. My government shall give stress on peace and development," Heptulla said, in her address to the first session of the 11th Manipur Assembly.

She thanked the state police for their role in maintaining law and order during the assembly elections.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance came to power in the state after just-concluded assembly elections, results of which were announced on March 11.

Later, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh thanked the people for reposing trust in the elected members and assured that the government shall pay full attention to the sectors identified in the pre-poll pledges.

The session will continue till March 23.

--IANS

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