Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 23:
The International Manipuri Apunba Lup has sought the intervention of the United Nations through the Indian Government in the blockade on the National Highway No 39 called by Naga organizations saying tile blockade has caused untold hardships to the 22 lakh people of Manipur.
In a statement sent to the UN Secretary General on August 18, the organization said that essential commodities have been exhausted and no petroleum fuel available at present due to the blockade.
There is acute shortage of life saving drugs resulting in the death of several children and women.
Many water borne diseases are also active in the interior parts of the State and no operation can be performed in hospitals due to shortage of anesthetic gas, it said.
Stating that the poor people of Manipur will die if the blockade is not lifted immediately, the memo charged that the Centre is not bothering about it as it is fully occupied with Kashmir.
The Imphal based organization charged that the NSCN (IM) has looted around 500 trucks in Nagaland's Zakhama and all the looted trucks are stranded in Nagaland due to the blockade.
Moreover NSCN (IM) has been extorting money to the tune of Rs 5000-10000 per vehicle besides charging goods taxes.
Passengers including students and patients going for treatment outside Manipur are also looted frequently, it said adding such activities have taken a heavy toll on the poor people of the State.
The organization further alleged that assaults on truckers are not a new thing and most of the time their vehicles end up being burnt.