Hundreds of Manipuris living in Delhi, under the banner of Delhi Manipuri Society, held a sit-in protest against the ongoing economic blockade imposed on two national highways in Manipur by Naga groups on Wednesday.
N Shyamkishore, general secretary of the society, told The Pioneer that this prolonged economic blockade imposed by the UNC has caused immense hardship to the general public. All the essential commodities including petrol, medicines and cooking gas are now beyond the reach of common people. Many schools have been closed down as school van and bus services were crippled due to unavailability of fuel. The cooking gas has been sold at `3,000 per cylinder in black market.
Shyamkishore appealed to the UNC to withdraw this senseless blockade immediately and said any political demand should be based on rationality and democratic principle. Holding 3 million people to ransom, the UNC is trying to showcase a negative image of Manipuris to the world, he added.
Sapam Biswajit, president of Delhi Manipuri Society, demanded that the Manipur Government should immediately call an all-party meeting -- including stakeholders to discuss the issue and end the economic blockade as soon as possible. He said even during war times all essential commodities are allowed to pass through the enemies territories. Sapam also appealed to the UNC to withdraw the blockade on humanitarian ground.
The United Naga Council (UNC), a frontal organisation of Naga militant group National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM), has been imposing the economic blockade on two national highways - NH-37 and NH-2 - since November 1against the creation of seven new districts by the Manipur Government.
The group claims that the State Government had created the new districts against the wishes of Naga people and this would literally affect the dream of Naga unification, which has been a long cherished demand of the NSCN-IM.
By bifurcating the existing hill districts of the State, the Okram Ibobi Singh led Congress Government was trying to divide the hill people and he declared the new districts to gain political mileage, the Naga group said.