KANGPOKPI, Nov 1 � The longest-ever economic blockade on Manipur�s Highways over the demand for creation of a new district has been suspended on its 92nd day following the State Government�s assurance to meet the demand in a marathon meeting last midnight.
Representatives of the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) which launched the economic blockade on the National Highways 39 (Dimapur-Kohima-Imphal) and 53 (Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar), the lifelines of the State demanding upgradation of Kuki- dominated Sadar Hills into a full- fledged district, agreed to suspend their agitation after a written assurance from the government to meet their demand for upgradation of Sadar Hills into a full-fledged district at the earliest after submission of the report of the District Re-organisation Committee.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the government and SHDDC leaders in a joint marathon meeting with State Chief Minister O Ibobi in Imphal which concluded a little after midnight last.
But the United Naga Council (UNC) which had imposed parallel blockade on these highways to protest the move to create the new district will continue with the agitation.
UNC and its frontal organisations in an emergency meeting held today decided to continue the blockade until further notice. It deplored the manner in which the government had executed the agreement without consensus and consent of Nagas. The emergency meeting also decided to enforce a total bandh for three days from midnight of November 3 till midnight of November 6.
Meanwhile, Manipur Government spokesperson N Biren, who is also the Irrigation and Flood Control Minister, justified the signing of the MoU. He said that what the government is doing is not for one community but for the whole community.
