Imphal, August 05, 2010: Safe arrival of goods laden trucks through National Highway 39 despite reimposition of economic blockade by UNC since yesterday, as a result of deployment of Central security forces along the route, has shown that protection along the National Highways can indeed be ensured if the Central Government is sincere enough, United Committee Manipur (UCM) has categorically stated.

However, the intention and the stand of the Government of India is doubtful as it has come only after a team of Central leaders including leader of the Opposition in the Parliament came to visit Manipur to take stock of the situation and interacted with various CSOs, UCM said in a statement.

UCM further observed that the change in the position of the Government of India may have also been prompted by the apprehension of an impending mass civil unrest.

Moreover, there is no assurance on how long the security personnel would be deployed along the National Highways.

Pointing out that what the UCM and the people of Manipur have always wanted and have been demanding all these years is to allow free services along the National Highways without any interference from any quarters, UCM wondered what could be the hidden agenda of the Government behind the stoic silence maintained by the authorities of the Cease Fire Monitoring Cell at Dimapur to illegal tax collection, extortion, torture, harassment, human rights violation, molestation and rape as well as killing of innocent people including drivers committed by NSCN (IM) along the Highways down the years.

If the Government of India gives up its discriminatory attitude and regard all people as its citizens, why should there have been any public movement, UCM questioned, adding that the Manipuri people would not tolerate the authorities from closing their eyes to the crimes being committed in broad daylight.

Alleging that the Government of India had extended open invitation to general secretary Th Muivah to enter the territory of Manipur on the pretext of allowing him to visit his native place despite knowing that ceasefire agreement is not applicable in Manipur, thereby leading to social upheaval, UCM maintained that the economic blockade being imposed by UNC for 20 days since August 4 is nothing by an extension of failed attempt.

The Mao gate incident in which State forces opened fire was because of the stand taken by the Government of Manipur to prevent Muivah from entering.

Boycott of ADC election and the subsequent arrest warrant issued along with announcement of rewards for the arrest of UNC and ANSAM leaders were all related to the attempted visit of Muivah, UCM asserted, adding that all these issues are the creation of the Central Government.

On the other hand, Government of Manipur should give strong order to its forces so all the police stations take up stringent security measures under their respective jurisdiction.

If the police stations, like Mao PS, Senapati PS, Kangpokpi SP, Sapermeina PS, Sekmai PS and Imphal West PS control their respective area, no place would be left for the miscreants to carry out their activities.

Unfortunately, the security personnel have been in collusion with these miscreants and its an open secret, UCM alleged.

The same is true about the National Highway 53.Instead of supporting transporters who have decided not to take on National Highway-39 through Nagaland, State police have been taking money from the drivers, UCM said.

The groups enforcing the economic blockade should also ensure that the interest of the people is not compromised in pursuance of their demand.

The suffering of the people from the 68-day long economic blockade is yet to be overcome.

So reimposition of economic blockade for another 20 days could be nothing but anti-people movement, UCM added.

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