Imphal, February 16, 2010: The 15 day-old economic blockade organised by Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) in protest against the deplorable condition of the National Highway-39 from Maram to Senapati has been called off from midnight today following signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the SDSA and representatives of the state government.

The lightning Senapati district bandh called in protest against the arrest of two students by police in connection with the burning of a goods-laden truck yesterday has also been called off, and the two arrested students have been released.

In order to put an end to the fortnight-long economic blockade, talks were held today between the office bearers of SDSA along with other CSOs and representatives of the state government at the head office of Naga People's Organisation (NPO), Senapati district HQ.

Minister of Tribal Development, District Council & Hills and Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, DD Thaisii, MLA K Raina and MLA M Thohrii represented the Government of Manipur while vice-president of SDSA, Elamding George, Gen Secy, LR John, Finance Secy, L Caleb, president of MKS Pungdi Celestine, president of PTM, J Kumo Sha, president of MSU, Lokho Ozho Mao, president of ZSU, NG Paul and president of TAJ, Luckson took part in the talks.

Reports received here said that the talks went on for nearly an hour and finally concluded with the signing of an MoU.

The MoU states that "the ongoing 'economic blockade' and 'lightening banch' imposed by the SDSA pertaining to the issue of the deplorable condition of he NH-39, has been called off with immediate effect from the midnight of 16th February, 2010 with subject to the following conditions mentioned below: That, 1.The ongoing premix carpeting of the NH-39 stretching from Maram to Senapati will be completed at the earliest in satisfaction of the general public.

2.The sanctioned amount of Rs 55 cores and above will be fully utilised for the improvement of the NH-39 (stretching from Taphou to Maram) at the earliest possible." Prior to the talks, a lightning Senapati district bandh was called in protest against the arrest of two persons namely, A Kukani (34), son of Adani of Taphou Kuki village and Yarmi Ringri (35) of Ngari village by police in connection with the burning of a truck transporting dry fish yesterday at Khathiyokho village between Senapati and Karong.

On hearing the news of arrest of the two persons this morning, tension rose and people took to the street and blocked the road.

Banch supporters burnt tyres and piled up stones on the road.

All shops and hotels pulled down shutters from the morning itself.

No vehicle plied along the National Highway-39. All inter-state passenger buses suspended service.

Hundreds of passengers who had already bought tickets to go to Dimapur and Guwahati were seen sitting inside the tourist buses for several hours in Imphal.

Finally, due to the lightning Senapati district bandh, officials of the tourist services informed their passengers that the buses would not leave today and refunded the fares.

Two points agreed by both sides-Ongoing premix carpeting of NH-39 stretching from Maram to Senapati to be completed at the earliest.

Sanctioned amount of Rs 55 cr and above to be fully utilised for improvement of NH-39 from Taphou to Maram at the earliest.

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