BJP urges UNC to lift blockade
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 26 2016: Highlighting the scarcity of essential commodities faced by all sections of the State's population on account of the economic blockade imposed since November 1, BJP Manipur Pradesh has appealed to the United Naga Council to lift the economic blockade.

Speaking to media persons at their Nityaipat Chuthek office today, BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesman and former Minister N Biren said the party is hopeful that UNC would consider their appeal favourably in view of the extreme misery being endured by all sections of people.

A dialogue can be initiated regarding the UNC's demand and BJP Manipur Pradesh would extend all possible assistance to make the process fruitful, Biren said. After deliberating minutely on the likely outcomes of the economic blockade and the counter economic blockade, a team of BJP Manipur Pradesh headed by president Ksh Bhabananda went to Delhi and met Union Home Rajnath Singh recently.

BJP urges UNC to lift blockade

After the meeting, Rajnath Singh convened a high level security meeting and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju was sent to the State.

Moreover top officers of army, Assam Rifles and CRPF were sent to the State and they ensured transportation of goods along Imphal-Jiribam highway with security escorts, Biren said.

With direct assistance from the Government of India, a large number of loaded trucks stranded at Jiribam have reached Imphal.

Development and maintenance of National Highways is the responsibility of the Central Government but tackling law and order problems that break out on National Highways is the responsibility of the State Government.

The BJP team went to Delhi and met the Union Home Minister as they could not tolerate the State Government's silence any longer despite knowing the fact that law and order is a State subject, Biren said.

BJP is committed to peaceful co-existence amongst different communities and the party abhors Congress party's divide and rule policy.

BJP appreciated the pro-active roles shouldered by civil society organisations to ward off communal violence in the midst of the ongoing economic blockade and the retaliatory economic blockade.

The BJP team urged the Union Home Minister to divulge details of the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM and also to restrict all such agreements and cease fire pacts within the territory of Nagaland.

Biren clarified that BJP Manipur Pradesh has not forged any alliance with NPF.

He then asked the State Government whether it wrote any letter to the Government of India informing New Delhi not to extend any cease fire pact it signed with NSCN-IM into the territory of Manipur.

Pointing out that there are many NSCN-IM camps within the territory of Manipur, Biren went on to ask whether the State Government ever wrote to the Central Government to remove these camps.

He further questioned if the State Government had taken up any action after the Lokchao ambush.

Asking who were the Ministers and MLAs that gave permission to hold a meeting on South Nagalim at Yangkhopao village, Kangpokpi, Biren questioned whether the State Government had initiated any action against the particular Ministers and MLAs.

Categorically stating that creation of new districts is 'election-oriented' which invited the ongoing indefinite economic blockade, Biren asked if any fund was incorporated in the State budget for development of infrastructure for the new districts.

He also lambasted the State Government for the massive recruitment drives being carried out now when the election is round the corner.

The State reeled under the 120 days of economic blockade when the Congress led UPA was in power at the Centre.

The State Government declared the UNC president as a wanted man then but he was not arrested, he recalled.

Biren further asked whether the Union Home Ministry then wrote to the State Government not to arrest the UNC president.

He also urged the State Government to give convincing answers of all the questions he has raised through the media.

BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary Th Bishwajit asked Congress not float false propaganda about BJP working to disintegrate Manipur at the time of election.

He decried that the State Government was as good as dead as it could not give any reply to the acts of terrorism unleashed by NSCN-IM in the State.