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ANSAM threatens to re-impose blockade

Iboyaima Laithangbam

Decision follows Chief Minister's refusal to go to the association office; explains his stand in the Assembly

IMPHAL: The All-Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) has threatened to re-impose economic blockade in Manipur.

ANSAM spokesperson Nganchomi Chamroy said at the organisation's head office in Senapati district on Saturday night that the date for re-imposition would be notified soon.

The threat follows the stand of Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi at his meetings with Prime Minister Manmohon Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil that he would talk with the ANSAM representatives only in his office. His Cabinet colleagues also supported this.

Mr. Ibobi had explained in the Manipur Assembly that if he went to the ANSAM office there would be no end as other student groups and NGOs would insist on his presence in their offices for talks.

ANSAM had imposed an economic blockade on June 20 in protest against declaration of June 18 as a State holiday. The blockade starved the State people of essential commodities.

Mani Charanamei, tribal MP from Manipur, had called on the Prime Minister on the issue and on the basis of Dr. Singh's assurance the 52-day blockade was suspended on August 11.

"Deplorable"

The ANSAM spokesperson said it was "deplorable" that the Chief Minister did not "reciprocate the good gesture of the students."

ANSAM had set some conditions for holding talks — the Government should roll back the State holiday and the Chief Minister should come to the ANSAM office.

After conveying his stand to Dr. Singh, Mr. Ibobi was back here on Sunday. He was closeted with his Cabinet collegues. Sources said they discussed the improvement of the NH 53 with Central funds.

Rally planned

The Naga Hoho, the Naga Students' Federation, the Naga Mothers' Association, the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights and the Council of Naga Baptist Churches will take out a procession in Kohima, capital of Nagaland capital, demanding Naga unification. A statement said the eight years of peace talks had not yielded "any tangible result."

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ANSAM threatens to re-impose blockade

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