Center Attempting to Ensure Business as Usual in Manipur

NEW DELHI: The Central government is endeavouring to ensure normalcy in Manipur following a call for an indefinite ban on vehicular movement in Naga-dominated areas in the state from Sept 4 called by the United Naga Council (UNC).

UNC has decided to impose this indefinite restriction on vehicular traffic on national and state highways from 6 am on September 4 till there is intervention from the GoI.

The ban has been in protest of the recent killing of two persons at Ukhrul district in Manipur after there was a clash between protesters and police and the police allegedly opened fire at the unarmed protesters.

Okram Ibobi Singh, the Chief Minister of the state has announced Rs 5 lakhs ex gratia for the deceased and reimbursement for the treatment of those who have been injured.

Further, he is expected to arrive in Delhi soon in order to brief the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh about the present situation in his state and what all steps have been taken to resolve the current crisis.

Also, the officials from the Home Ministry are in constant touch with the Manipur government and have offered to provide any help needed for dealing with the situation.

The blockade, if takes place , as it has been proposed by the UNC, will likely be affecting the supply of essential commodities to the state, since the ban will prevent trucks from making their way to Manipur’s capital Imphal.

Sensing the repercussions already, the Centre is anxious and making efforts to ensure that the road and highway blockade does not affect the supply of essential commodities.

The UNC had organised a rally on September 1, Monday to pay tribute to the two people who died in the police-protesters clash in Ukhrul district on August 30.

At the public funeral service held for Late Mayopam Ramror and Late Ramkashing Vashi, the UNC had pronounced a resolution wherein the two deceased were declared “martyrs of the Naga cause”.

The resolution further had two crucial points- one, a ban on all vehicular traffic on national and state highways in Naga areas from September 4 and second, “political boycott of the Government of Manipur in the Naga areas.” ; which includes an indefinite ban even on national projects in Naga areas of Manipur