Dimapur, Dec. 13: The Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) has complained that the “economic counter blockade” imposed in the valley districts and Jiribam areas by Meitei organizations in Manipur–since the imposition of the United Naga Council economic blockade against the Manipur government–has “caused immense hardships to the common people.”
The ZYF issued a press release on Tuesday.
“The economic counter blockade imposed in the valley districts and Jiribam areas by Meitei organizations restricting essential commodities/goods carrying for hills districts particularly for Tamenglong district since the imposition of United Naga Council Economic blockade against the State Govt. arbitrary decision has caused immense hardships to the common people,” the press release stated.
The central government and the state government have been providing “maximum security forces numbering more than thousands incurring crores of rupees on national highways in hill areas stretching for more than 200 km” to protect the trucks carrying essentials commodities and other goods bound for Imphal valley, the organization stated.
However, no such measures were taken to protect the vehicles on the same national highway “which falls within the valley areas of little more than 10 km carrying goods bound for Tamenglong district and other hills districts...” the grop stated.
This has “shown biased attitude and ill treatment meted out to marginalized Nagas tribal on the part of the central and state govts. which is a clear violation of fundamental rights of the democratic and law abiding citizens of the same country,” the press release stated.
The ZYF also alleged that the counter blockade’s supporters “tortured” passengers bound for Tamenglong district and “not even spared the Medical Officer namely Mr. AdimGangmei, who was on his way to duty at PHC Longmai after the injured woman by the Manipur Police Commando indiscriminate firing on the night of 29th November, 2016 at Longmai bazar area was physically attacked at Khumbongon the afternoon of 30th November, 2016.”
The organization also gave other instances of alleged animosity.
“Are the Naga tribal people not deserved equal protection of their lives and properties as a bonafide citizens of the country as done to their counterpart citizens in other parts of the State? Therefore, the Zeliangrong Youth Front draw the attention of the Govt. of India to immediately intervene into this horrific situation to avoid any unwanted situation out of the biased law and order situation in the State of Manipur,” the press release added.
