United Naga Council temporarily lifts Manipur blockade
November 28th, 2011 - 6:29 pm ICT by IANS
Imphal, Nov 28 (IANS) The indefinite economic blockade in Manipur that entered its 121st day Monday has been temporarily withdrawn, said a leader of the United Naga Council (UNC) spearheading the agitation.
“We have decided to temporarily lift the blockade on the two national highways from 6 a.m. Tuesday,” UNC president Loli Adani told a public meeting at the Naga-dominated Tamenglong district of Manipur.
The UNC is spearheading the blockade on the two national highways since Aug 21 to counter the economic blockade launched by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) on Aug 1 demanding conversion of the Kuki tribal majority Sadar Hills area into a full-fledged district.
The SHDDC lifted the blockade on two highways — Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati (NH39) and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar (NH53) — on the 92nd day after the state government agreed to their demand of creating a district, a move opposed by the Nagas.
But the UNC continued with their blockade - the Manipur blockade entered its 121st and the UNC-led strike its 100th day Monday.
The decision to lift the blockade comes ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s daylong visit to Manipur Dec 3 where he is scheduled to launch and inaugurate several development projects. The prime minister is also expected to address a public meeting.
The UNC’s decision is seen as an olive branch with the Naga leadership hoping to get an audience with the prime minister to air their grievances.
The two highways are the lifeline to Manipur as supplies of all essentials are brought to the state from adjoining Assam and other parts of India.
The blockade that began Aug 1 had led to severe shortage of essentials, petroleum products and cooking gas cylinders, besides medicines.
A cooking gas cylinder was sold at the black market for as high as Rs.2,000, while a litre of petrol sold at Rs.200.
- 92-day Manipur blockade partially lifted - Nov 01, 2011
- Nagas warn of fresh action as PM visits Manipur - Dec 03, 2011
- Situation in Manipur remains grim: Minister - Dec 01, 2011
- Blockade lifted, but Manipur still tense - Dec 02, 2011
- Total blockade in parts of Manipur, life badly affected - Nov 04, 2011
- BJP slams government for Manipur blockade - Nov 07, 2011
- Manipur on brink of breakdown with 99 days of blockade - Nov 07, 2011
- Manipur blockade enters 100th day, supplies drying up - Nov 08, 2011
- Parties demand President's Rule in blockade-hit Manipur - Oct 14, 2011
- On Day 100, Manipur warns of 'harsh action' - Nov 08, 2011
- Road blockade hits life in Manipur - Sep 19, 2011
- Protests hit life in Manipur - Aug 21, 2011
- Prices soar in blockade-hit Manipur - Oct 23, 2011
- PM to visit blockade-hit Manipur - Nov 28, 2011
- Chidambaram to visit blockade-hit Manipur - Oct 29, 2011
Tags: 100th day, adani, economic blockade, gas cylinder, gas cylinders, loli, manmohan, manmohan singh, naga, nagas, national highways, olive branch, petroleum products, prime minister manmohan, prime minister manmohan singh, rs 2, rs 200, sadar, two highways, unc president