The Hindu : National : End blockade, Manipur sends SOS to Centre

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005

National

National

End blockade, Manipur sends SOS to Centre

Iboyaima Laithangbam

Protest by Naga students' association triggers a price spiral

Rice costs Rs. 50 a kg in tribal villages IRB personnel out of Senapati district Drivers refuse to operate

IMPHAL: The Manipur Government has sent an urgent message to the Centre, urging it to end the blockade imposed by the All-Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) from June 20. The ANSAM is demanding revocation of the declaration of June 18 as the State integrity day holiday. Since the protest began, dozens of vehicles have been stoned, and at least four, which developed technical snags on the way, torched.

The prices of all commodities have gone up. Rice is sold at Rs. 50 a kg in the tribal villages of Tamenglong district. Petrol is sold at Rs. 60 a litre in and around Imphal as all pumps remain closed.

What with the smouldering public anger, the ANSAM leaders agreed to hold talks with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi on condition that he come to Senapati district. However he refused to do so.

Meanwhile, a teacher was shot and a boy beaten up, allegedly by IRB (Indian Reserve Battalion) personnel, in Senapati district. Leaders of the ANSAM and other tribal leaders told reporters that the door to talks was closed following the incident. However government officials told The Hindu that it was a drunken brawl. Tribal students burned down over 30 government offices in Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong districts. Ukhrul district is still under curfew.

Bowing to the student demands, the Government has withdrawn the IRB personnel from Senapati district. One DIG rank officer is deployed in the four tribal districts.

Though Assam Rifles and CRPF personnel have been deployed, in addition to police and paramilitary forces, trucks cannot be brought to Imphal daily. Drivers have refused to ply trucks and oil tankers in the absence of protection.

Mr. Ibobi initially sought deployment of some companies of Assam Rifles along National Highway 39.

Various organisations have demanded that the blockade be brought to an end by July 15. Three major students' organisations have appealed to all sections not to resort to a counter economic blockade in tribal areas. Mr. Ibobi says drastic action will be taken in the event of a counter-blockade.

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