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The ongoing peace talk between Government of India (GOI) and Naga
Socialist Council of Nagaland NSCN (IM) has widely effected the normal life
of people in Manipur.
The Chief Minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh declared June 18th as a
State Integrity day and observed as "State Holiday" in remembrances of
Manipuri Heroes' and Heroines' who sacrifices their lives for the
integrity of Manipur, when GOI and NSCN (IM) extended their ceasefire beyond
Nagaland including Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in 2001.
In protest against the Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh declaration
of June 18th as "State Holiday" ANSAM (All Naga Students Association of
Manipur) launched an indefinite economic blockades on the two national
highways of Manipur 39 and 53 connecting the state since June 19.
Due to the imposed of Economic Blockades in Manipur goods and
commodities prices increase and people of Manipur face immense hardships. The
Price of one Gas Cylinder reach Rs. 700/-.
Mean while, SHDC (Sadar Hills Demand Committee) launched Sadar Hills
bandh in between 12th to 15th July and asked Manipur Government to
declare Sadar Hills as a full-fledged District.
Kuki People strongly support the bandh imposed by KSO and asked the
Chief Minister to fulfill the long standing demand of the people.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh deployed Indian Army and Indian Reserve
Battalion in National Highway 53 for the smooth and free transportation
of goods and services in Manipur.
ANSAM is against the deployment of Indian Army and Indian Reserve
Battalion in NH 53, dismantled IRANG Bridge and
jeopardizing free movement of goods and trucks for three days.
Seeing the immense hardships and difficulties face by the people of
Manipur, various Students' Body and Political Party appeal ANSAM to
withdraw their indefinite economic blockades.
However, ANSAM vow to agitate their ongoing indefinite bandh in
Manipur, until and unless Chief Minister revoke his declaration of June 18 as
"State Holiday".
The root causes of present situation of Manipur is due to a political
fight between Manipur Government and NSCN (IM).
NSCN(IM) demand greater Nagaland to Centre Government extending to four
Hilly District of Manipur viz. Temenlong District, Senapati District
Ukhurul District and Chandel District. Manipur Government vow not to
give a single inches of Land of Manipur (EIMA LEIBAK) for the creation of
Greater Nagaland.
The Centre Government is playing a child game between NSCN(IM) and
Government of Manipur by pleading and holding an ongoing peace talk with
NSCN(IM) out side India.
And other side, GOI also pleads Manipur
Government by announcing various special packages and introducing various
schemes in Manipur.
The game will continue and suffering of the people of Manipur will not
end until and unless President Abdul Kalam vision of dividing India
into four region viz. Eastern Region, Western Region, Northern Region and
Western Region is fulfill.
Finally, one of the longest economic blockades in the history of
Manipur was lifted on 11th August 2005 and normal life was restored once
again in the 'LAND OF JEWEL'
Kaikholal Lhouvum contributes regularly to e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at [email protected]
This article was webcasted on 19th August 2005.
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