IMPHAL, NOVEMBER 30: The indefinite economic blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC) since November 1 midnight in Manipur is creating ‘untold miseries’ to the people of the state. The blockade has been clamped in protest against the report of upgrading Sadar hills and Jiribam into full fledged districts and the demonetization move of the central government.
As the blockade on national highways in Manipur entered its 30th day on Wednesday, people here continue to witness long queues not only in front of the ATM booths or bank branches dawn to dusk, but in front of oil pumps and wholesale dealers of grocery items.
The situation worsened after the arrest of UNC’s President Gaidon Kamei and its Information Secretary Stephen on November 25.
Supporters demanding the release of the UNC leaders attempted to block the movement of supplies at Noney along the Imphal-Jiribam route on Tuesday while some unidentified persons tried to set on fire the Zone Education Office and PWD office at Tamenglong town late last night.
The Manipur Baptist Convention and Rongmei Naga Council of Manipur and its frontal organisations namely the Rongmei Luh Phuam Manipur, the Rongmei Naga Youth Organisation of Manipur, the Rongmei Students’ Organisation of Manipur have separately appealed to the UNC to lift the economic blockade.
The groups have appealed to the UNC to pave way to dialogue considering the grievances being endured by the people of both the hills and valley of Manipur due to the indefinite economic blockade. The problem has been compounded by the central government’s recent demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
Earlier churches in Mao also made a similar appeal seeking end to the blockade.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Home Affairs has categorically stated that the indefinite economic blockade being imposed on national highways leading to Manipur is unconstitutional.
Some people have also launched a ‘counter blockade’ in some areas of the state including Khumbong.
