Day 2 of UNC sponsored indefinite highway bandh : State determined to neutralise highway bandh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 05 2014 : Both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur are determined to neutralise the blanket ban imposed by the UNC on execution of National projects and vehicular movement on National and State highways in Naga areas of Manipur.

Since the last couple of days, a series of high level meetings have been held.

Another high level meeting was also held today at the Chief Minister's Secretariat with Ministry of Home Affairs Special Secretary (Internal Security) Prakash Mishra.

Among others, the meeting was participated by the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary and the DGP.

The meeting discussed about sanitising the entire Mao-Imphal section of the Imphal-Dimapur highway by way of deploying central forces along the highway in the next couple of days, informed a well placed source.

The meeting further deliberated on sending truck convoys after the highway is fully sanitised and also to strengthen security convoys.

Bandh supporters blocking vehicular movement at Senapati along Imphal-Dimapur highway

Even though transhipment of petroleum products ceased since the UNC's ban on vehicular movement came into effect, there are substantial quantities of petroleum products in stock.

As there are adequate quantities of petroleum products in stock, there is no proposition to send oil tankers and LPG bullets along Imphal-Jiribam highway as of now.

Rather the Government is considering to send oil tankers and LPG bullets along Imphal-Dimapur highway with fool-proof security after neutralizing all disruptive activities, added the source.

On account of the United Naga Council's (UNC) indefinite ban on vehicular movement on all National and State Highways as well as ban on construction works of National Projects in all Naga settled areas from September 4 more than 30 loaded trucks have been stranded at Leingangpokpi, Jiribam.

All kinds of vehicular movement were suspended along the National Highway 37 (Jiribam-Imphal) today, according to the Jiri News Network.

The Government has already taken up a contingency plan and has initiated due measures in consultation with Army and Assam Rifles to provide adequate security escorts to transporters so that people do not suffer because of the indefinite ban imposed by the United Naga Council on execution of all National Projects and vehicular movement on all National and State highways connecting Manipur to other parts of the country, said Deputy Chief Minister during a press meet this afternoon.

Even as the MHA advised against imposing any blockade, the UNC decided to go ahead with its 'ban' .