Blockade fizzled out
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 22 2012: The indefinite 'public-blockade' orchestrated by Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) along all National and State Highways passing through Kuki-inhabited areas of the State since November 17 has been called off today following an understanding between KSDC and State Government today.

The state government today met the delegates of KSDC led by Benjamin Mate, General Secretary of the committee, at the office chamber of Home Minister Gaikhangam, at around 5 pm.

The meeting lasted till 6:30 pm.

During the meeting, the Home Minister was assisted by Education Minister M Okendro, MLA M Yamthong Haokip, Chief Secretary DS Poonia and DGP Y Joykumar.

Addressing media persons after the meeting, Home Minister Gaikhangam informed that the State Government has urged the Union Government to start a political dialogue with the Kuki Militant outfits under the umbrellas of KNO and UPF.

The Home Ministry has also assured the state government that a team of officials from the Home Ministry would be arriving in Manipur soon after the ongoing Parliament Session is over.

All these developments were conveyed to the delegates of KSDC during the meeting today.

Accordingly, KSDC has consented to the appeal of the State Government and lifted the blockade from today.

Gaikhangam also recalled the earlier meeting with KSDC in which the agitators agreed to relax the blockade for all those officials and individuals having valid documents for Sangai Festival and TET.

As follow up, the State government deputed Congress MLA Yamthong Haokip and LM Khoute, Additional DGP for another round of talks with KSDC.

As a consequence, the second meeting was held today and an understanding was brought about finally.

Replying to a query, the Home Minister pointed out that in the ground rules of SoO, it has been strictly mentioned that the territorial integrity of Manipur cannot be disturbed.

As such, the demand to disintegrate Manipur would not arise during the political dialogue between the Union Government and the Kuki insurgent group.

Reaffirming the stand of the State Government to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state, Gaikhangam, who is also in charge of Deputy Chief Minister, said that the state will never compromise over the issue of territorial integrity and the government is prepared to face any consequences in this regard.

He also appealed to the general public to come out and perform their normal duties.

However, even prior to the meeting between the state government and the KSDC which took place at 5 pm, the public blockade seemed to have been called off since early morning with all stranded passenger buses and loaded trucks coming to Imphal from Senapati without any problem on the way.

In this regard, information received from Kangpokpi, vehicular traffic which had remained closed due to the KSDC sponsored public blockade resumed on own along NH-2 around 8 am today.

All Govt.offices and schools were also re-opened in Kangpokpi town.

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