Imphal, July 21: Continuation of economic blockade along the National Highways 39 and 53 for more than a month has made it clear that it is the handiwork of NSCN (IM) under the guise of ANSAM at the instigation of the Government of India, spokesman of United Committee Manipur (UCM) Yumnamcha Dilipkumar has charged.

Addressing mediapersons at the office of the UCM at Kekrupat today, Dilipkumar said that yesterday's incident of blowing up the bridge over Irang river right under the nose of the security forces close on the heels of the Lairouching incident in which Assam Rifles assisted the blockade supporters to set on fire two trucks are ample proof that the India Government is instigating the NSCN (I-M) to carry on with the agitation under the cloak of ANSAM.

Maintaining that the June 18 Uprising was not against any particular community but was for the cause of integrity of Manipur, Dilipkumar questioned why ANSAM has to impose indefinite economic blockade only this time on the issue declaration of June 18 as a State Holiday while the Government had always declared holidays on this day in the past since 2002.This shows that there is surely a connection between the agitation of ANSAM and the ongoing peace parleys between the Government of India and the NSCN (I-M), he added.

The UCM spokesman stated firmly that the State Government should not retract its decision under pressure from any quarters to the declaration of June 18 as State Integrity Day and a holiday.

Noting that the impact of the ongoing economic blockade is being felt by all the different communities living in Manipur, Dilipkumar, however, appealed to all the people to ensure that no communal colour is given to the matter.

Charging India Government and the NSCN (I-M) with trying to drive a wedge and incite hatred among the people, Dilipkumar said UCM would try its best to maintain the existing communal harmony among the people.

The UCM spokesman also demanded why the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has not should continue to support the two MPs and the 11 MLAs who have signed in the memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister endorsing integration of Naga inhabited areas despite knowing the fact the ground rules of the NSCN(I-M)-Centre ceasefire agreement are being violated posing an open challenge to the age-old and well-defined territorial boundary of Manipur.