IMPHAL: The All-Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), may reimpose the economic blockade against this State from midnight on Tuesday night. Paul Langhu, president, has alerted all members to be ready to resume any moment the protest suspended on August 11.

All trucks, now in Assam loaded with commodities, are being rushed here in view of the imminent blockade.

ANSAM has asked drivers and traders, whose driving licence and commodities were confiscated during the 52-day blockade begun on June 20, to collect them from its members by 6 p.m. on Tuesday. No claim will be entertained thereafter.

Ibobi seeks protection

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, who returned here from New Delhi on Sunday evening after meeting Central leaders, said Prime Minister Manmohon Singh asked him to get blockade on National Highways 39 and 53 lifted. He urged the Prime Minister to ensure protection for Manipur vehicles passing through Nagaland as the Naga Students Federation and non-governmental organisations in that State joined hands with ANSAM, which is demanding that the June 18 State integration day holiday be scrapped. NH 39 passes through Nagaland.

The Prime Minister assured him that funds would be provided for repairs to NH 53, said Mr. Ibobi. Mr. Ibobi insists that talks with ANSAM will be held only in Imphal, and not in its headquarters in Senapati district or in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, the Centre has permitted the Manipur Government to import 50,000 tonnes of rice from Myanmar within the current financial year, according to highly placed official sources. The first consignment of 5,000 tonnes is expected by the first week of September.

The sources said though rice was not among the 22 items approved by the two countries for import and export, the Director-General of Foreign Trade in 1995 issued a notification permitting Manipur to buy 50,000 tonnes of rice to tide over shortage. Now in the wake of the protracted economic blockade, there has been an alarming shortage of rice and other essential commodities.

The sources said rice brought from Punjab or Haryana had to be sold in Imphal at Rs 18 a kg, whereas the Mynamar product would cost only Rs 12. The border with Myanmar is just 109 km from here.

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