Economic blockade completes 100 days
BJP demands airlifting essential supplies to Manipur
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 07 2011: The economic blockade being imposed by some groups along the twin National Highways passing through the state is set to complete 100 days tomorrow and the possibilityof an end to it soon is still remote.

First of all, Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) started imposing economic blockade along the National Highways on August 1 to press the government for granting district status to Sadar hills.

To counter the economic blockade of SHDDC, United Naga Council (UNC) launched its counter economic blockade since August 22 .

Although SHDDC has lifted its economic blockade following an understanding with the government on October 31, the counter economic blockade of UNC has remained with no visible sign of lifting it in the near future.

In fact, toughening its stand, UNC has already announced continuation and intensification of its agitation. Thanks to these protracted economic blockade/counter blockade, petroleum products have become a thing of rarity in Manipur today.

There is also no question of public sale of petrol and diesel or cooking gas tomorrow.

Nonetheless, around 88 tankers carrying petroleum products from Jiribam side are currently on their way to Imphal along National Highway 53 (Jiri-Imphal Road).

After halting the night enroute, these oil tankers are expected to reach Imphal tomorrow.

Meanwhile, over 800 trucks left Imphal today for lifting essential commodities including petroleum products.

While in Delhi, BJP on Monday said despite the lifting of the economic blockade in Manipur the situation there was grim and demanded that the Centre make arrangements to airlift essential commodities and medicines to the state as these were in very short supply.

"The situation in Manipur is becoming worse day by day.

It is very serious.

There are reports that fuel and essential supplies there will last for only one more day.

We demand that the government airlift essential commodities, fuel and medicines to the state within 24 hours," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

The main opposition wondered why the UPA had not taken any action to end the blockade which lasted 93 days.

"Is Manipur not a part of India....

Government has been giving sermons but has not done anything," Javadekar said.

Javadekar, along with BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, will be leaving for Manipur tomorrow to meet the locals there and learn about the condition of the people.

The team will spend three days in the state.

BJP has taken up the issue of economic blockade in the poll-bound state in a big way.

A party delegation led by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and BJP President Nitin Gadkari had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sometime back to demand an end to the blockade.

"It is surprising that there is a ceasefire but yet the rebels are toting guns while the armed forced have kept their weapons under wraps," Javadekar said today.

He rued that petrol and LPG cylinders were being sold at "unthinkable prices" in Manipur.

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