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Economic blockade enters 30th day in Manipur

By Sobhapati Samom

IMPHAL, Nov 30 - People of Manipur continue to suffer not only because of the demonetisation but also the indefinite economic blockade on its supply lines, which entered the 30th day on Wednesday.

As a result, people here continue to witness long queues not only in front of the ATM booths and Bank branches since dawn to dusk, but also in front of oil pumps and grocery dealers to buy fuel and essential commodities.

The indefinite economic blockade was called by United Naga Council (UNC) since November 1 in protest against the State Government�s plan to upgrade Sadar Hills and Jiribam into fullfledged districts.

The situation has worsened after the arrest of UNC president Gaidon Kamei and its information secretary Stephen on November 25. Blockade supporters demanding the release of the UNC leaders had attempted to block the movement of supplies at Noney along Imphal-Jiribam Road on Tuesday while some unidentified persons tried to set on fire the Zonal Education Office and PWD office at Tamenglong town late last night.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) has appealed to the UNC to lift the economic blockade. In a statement, MBC appealed to the UNC to lift the economic blockade on humanitarian ground to ease the sufferings and hardships of the people.

A joint meeting of the Rongmei Naga Council Manipur and its frontal organisations has also appealed to UNC to lift the blockade and pave the way for dialogue considering the untold sufferings being endured by the people of both the hills and valley of Manipur due to the indefinite economic blockade and the demonetisation.

Earlier, Churches of Mao also made a similar appeal to end the blockade by giving free passage to the goods-laden trucks, which have been stranded at Mao Gate since October 31.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has categorically stated that the blockade imposed on National Highways is unconstitutional. In response to a letter sent by State Chief Secretary to Union Home Secretary regarding the indefinite economic blockade, the Home Ministry has replied to the State Government categorically stating that the blockade was unconstitutional.

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