IMPHAL, Sept 7 - In protest against the Government�s �failure� to arrest the suspected NSCN (I-M) cadres who allegedly threatened its volunteers and a group of artistes, the All Manipur Students� Union (AMSU) has called a 100-hour blockade on the Imphal-Jiribam sector of the National Highway 37 from September 8 midnight.
AMSU president Manjit Sarangthem announced this during a press conference here today. He also demanded vacation of the NSCN (I-M) camps in the State to stop unwanted activities.
On September 3, four persons claiming to be NSCN (I-M) cadres threatened AMSU general secretary Soibam Anil, other volunteers and a group of artistes at Nungba in Tamenglong district when they were returning to Imphal from Silchar after taking part in an event organised by the All Assam Manipuri Students� Union, Sarangthem said. The four men also took away Rs 5,000 from them, he added.
Meanwhile, on September 5, the NSCN (I-M) denied its involvement in the alleged incident. The outfit further claimed that it �arrested� two miscreants who were involved in extortion activities at Nungba in the name of the NSCN (I-M).
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, while speaking at a function in Imphal on Wednesday, said search operations have been launched to nab the culprits involved in the September 3 incident. But there are no reports of arrest of any suspects so far.
Meanwhile, the CPI�s Manipur State Council has demanded establishment of a national highway protection force in the State. The core committee of 10 Opposition parties in Manipur has separately demanded booking of the persons involved in the incident of September 3.
