IMPHAL, Dec. 7: The United Committee Manipur,an apex body of various organisations today announced to hold a public meeting at GM hall in Imphal on December 9 to discuss the future course of action in connection with ongoing economic blockade in the state even as the tribal church bodies appealed to relax the blockade and counter blockade on humanitarian grounds.
The Tribal Churches Leaders Forum (TCLF) and All Manipur Christian Organization (AMCO) have appealed to relax the ongoing indefinite economic blockade as well as the counter blockade to give a ‘breathing space’ in the state on humanitarian ground.
The functionaries of the two organisations who are taking up a mediatory role in resolving the ongoing situation conveyed this while speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here on Wednesday.
A six member TCLF team also passed their appeal to United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women Union and students association leaders during their trip to Senapati district headquarters, 60 km north of here on Tuesday, according to Pastor Johny Shimray.
On the other hand TCLF in association with AMCO also started to initiate talks with the state government authority to discuss the relevant issues to bring an immediate amicable solution, Rev Dr Lalpi Vaiphei added.
Sharing a similar sentiment, Convenor Panti Gonmei also informed the media that the church elders are also working hard to find a solution to the problems. She also appealed to not to create violence but to maintain peace.
Hao Research Guild, a body of tribal researchers and scholars also appealed to all communities in the state to play a vital role in resolving the ongoing problem as the state is the birthplace of various ethnic groups.
Earlier the Town Churches Union Tamenglong appealed to call off on-going economic blockade and counter economic blockade in the interests of the general public, Secretary of Town Churches Union Tamenglong said in a release.
The people of Manipur have been facing miseries and hardships after the UNC called an indefinite economic blockade on the National Highways which are the supply lines of the state since November 1 midnight in protest against the alleged attempt to declare Sadar hills in Senapati district and Jiribam in Imphal east district into full fledged districts.
The prices of the essential commodities have skyrocketed as petrol is sold at Rs 150-Rs 200 a litre in black while the Potatoes and onions are sold at Rs 40 per kilogram. The situation has been worsening after the launch of counter blockade by pulling down goods meant for other district headquarters.
