92-day blockade in Manipur lifted

The 92-day economic blockade in Manipur was partially lifted on Tuesday after one of the two protesting groups called off their stir following a written assurance by the state government to create a new hill district. HT reports. Rumble in the hills

The 92-day economic blockade in Manipur was partially lifted on Tuesday after one of the two protesting groups called off their stir following a written assurance by the state government to create a new hill district.

HT Image

The agreement between the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) and the state government was signed on Monday in Imphal.

Deploring the manner in which the government had executed the agreement without consensus and consent of the Nagas, an emergency meeting of the United Naga Council (UNC) on Tuesday decided to call for a three-day bandh from November 3 in Naga-dominated areas. The Nagas had launched a parallel blockade on August 21, which continues despite the state government's appeal for talks.

The SHDDC had launched the economic blockade on August 1 on two national highways-Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati (NH 39) and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar (NH53)-to press for their demand for carving out Sadar Hills district from the Naga-majority Senapati district. According to the MoU, the Manipur government has also agreed to carve out six new subdivisions by November-end. It also agreed to withdraw all legal cases against SHDDC leaders.

Justifying the MoU, Manipur government spokesperson and irrigation and flood control minister N Biren said, "What we're doing is not for one section of people, but for the whole community. We will not hurt any community's sentiments."

"We'll be keenly watching the government's moves," SHDDC general secretary Tonghen Kipgen told reporters at Kangpokpi town, 45 km north of Imphal.

The state, meanwhile, continues to face its worst supplies crisis due to the blockade.