Imphal, August 29: The United Committee, Manipur (UCM) has resolved to be fully prepared for facing any economic blockade on the national highways in future by recruiting volunteers and conducting mass awareness campaigns on the need to protect the highways.

The resolutions were taken during a Leaders' Meet convened by the UCM at Khuman Lampak indoor stadium today.

The resolution said the meet has decided to recruit volunteers and conduct awareness campaigns as repeated appeals to the Government of India to provide adequate protection on the highways have fallen on deaf ears.

The meeting entrusted the UCM with the task of holding talks with the organizations calling the economic blockades so as to bring understanding amongst the Manipuris.

The meeting also resolved to strengthen the UCM before June 18 next year so that it can become a full fledged representative of the people ass well as serve the interest of the people to its best ability.

The meeting was convened to discuss the developments arising out of the withdrawal of the NSCN (IM) ceasefire extension from Manipur and the subsequent blockades imposed on the highways by some Naga organizations to protest the truce agreement rollback.

In another resolution the meeting resolved to unitedly and firmly deal with any design aimed at delivering a blow to the people of Manipur in the wake of the ceasefire extension and the economic blockade so as to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Earlier in the day a number of people drawn from different communities and representing different organizations, clubs and voluntary bodies turned up for the meeting.

UCM convenors Sapamcha Jadumani, Kh Ratan and Ito Tongbram presided over the meeting.

Delivering the key note address Dr Dhanabir Laishram said that Manipur cannot be divided along the basis of community such Naga, Kuki, Meitei, Meitei Pangal etc.

A number of community leaders and social worker including ZUCAM advisor Shyam Kamei, representative of till Manipur Muslim Women's Development Organization Sitafa Begum, ACACEM representative Surjitkumar, All Lambulane Welfare Committee representative Alan Toukhok, convenor of Bazar Community Amrik Singh Pahwa, RK Ranendrajit and others addressed the meeting.

All the speakers said the economic blockade is nothing but another game plan hatched by the Indian Government to create fissures amongst the people.

The indifference of the President's Rule regime to the sufferings of the people due to the economic blockade was also noted with regret by the speakers.

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