Imphal, May 17 2010: To find a solution to end the ongoing total blockade along National Highways 39 and 53, the State Government has deputed a 9-member team of the All Manipur Christian Organisation to Kohima to hold talks with the Christian missionaries there.

Announcing this while talking to mediapersons at his office chamber today afternoon, SPF spokesperson Minister N Biren informed that the team has been deputed on a goodwill mission of finding a solution to end the ongoing blockade.

Maintaining that every decision and activities of the Govt cannot be disclosed, the Minister, nonetheless, explained that goods carrier trucks have been stopped from coming along National Highway 53 to avoid another Mao like incident at the instigation of a UG group.

The Govt has held talks with the leaders of Noney and Tupul areas and they are also not in favour of the road block, the Minister said, adding that two companies of BSF have been stationed under the SP of Tamenglong at Noney.

Reacting to the allegation that NH-53 comes into focus only when there is problem along National Highway 39, the Minister asserted that development of National Highway 53 is always in the mind of the Government but the task has been delayed as some portion of the highway has been inundated with water from Tipaimukh project.

Those who abstain from any important meeting of the Govt would never know such thing, he added.

Stating that deputation of a Ministerial team along Guite Road was to inspect the condition of road and see whether essential commodities can be transported along this route, Biren disclosed that the Govt is also considering the option of bringing in necessary goods from Moreh.

Appealing to all concerned not to impose counter-blockade in Imphal which in essence means stopping the ferrying of essential goods for the people living in the hills, the Minister also appealed to ANSAM and UNC to lift the total blockade.

If the appeal does not work, then the Government will take its own course of action.

Invitations have already been extended to these two organisations for holding talks, he disclosed.

Pointing out that the Act under which the District Council elections will be held, was amended with the approval of the Hill Area Committee, comprising Naga MLAs, Biren observed that the opposition against the amendment after the necessary preparations for holding the election is over is unfortunate.

Amendments, to the Act, if necessary can be done only after the election, he added.