The Union Home Ministry on Thursday rapped the Manipur and Nagaland Governments for not implementing law and order strictly to ensure the end of highway blockades connecting the States.
In a tough message to Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said there has been an extremely distressing situation caused by the continuous blockade of NH-2, which has caused an acute shortage of essential and other goods in Manipur and breakdown of law and order.
“The State Government has failed to keep the NH-2 open, inspite of Government of India’s repeated requests and making available the Central forces to assist the local forces,” said the Home Minister.
Rajnath also wrote to the Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang asking him to ensure that there is no disturbance in movement of vehicle going through his State as there have been reports of Naga Students Federation calling blockade of vehicles in Nagaland.
The Home Minister told the Manipur CM that he is advising him again to ensure the supply of essential commodities to Manipur through NH-2, rationally using the assistance of Central forces, as necessary.
“Maintaining of law and order and essential supplies are constitutional obligations of the State Government which has to do so and take leadership. For the sake of people of Manipur, I call upon you to discharge these constitutional obligations with utmost promptness,” said Rajnath.