NSF calls off Manipur blockade

Hours after the Centre decided to send security forces to remove the 65-day-old blockade of the two national highways causing severe shortage of essential commodities in Manipur, the Naga groups announced temporary suspension of their stir from Tuesday.

The Naga Student Federation has decided to temporarily suspend the blockade of NH-39 and NH-53, responding to appeals by various individuals and groups, a release issued by NSF vice president Sinhilo Thong and general secretary Wati Jamir said on Monday.

However, the NSF would resume its agitation if the Manipur government failed to fulfill its demands in toto, the release said.
NSF would extend "all logical support" to All Naga Students' Association (ANSAM) and United Naga Council (UNC) in the stir, it said.

The two organisations had launched the blockade on NH-39 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-53 (Imphal-Jiribam) since April 12 protesting elections to Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur hills and Manipur government's decision to ban entry of NSCN leader T Muivah to the state.

The Naga outfits alleged that enough monetary power was not given to the councils to carry out development works.

The economic blockade has pushed Manipur in the verge of a breakdown with stocks of all essentials commodities, including baby food and life saving drugs, almost drying up.