Ahead of PM’s visit, Nagas lift Manipur blockade

Indefinite economic blockades in Manipur, enforced by the United Naga Council (UNC), will be temporarily withdrawn with effect from 6 am Tuesday, the UNC announced on Monday.

The decision comes ahead of prime minister Manmohan Singh’s day-long visit to the state on December 3 to inaugurate several development projects.

The UNC, Manipur’s apex Naga organisation, announced the lifting of the blockades at a public rally in Naga-dominated Tamenglong district.

“We decided to lift the blockades in wake of the assurance by (Union home minister) P Chidambaram that government of Manipur won’t be allowed to take any unilateral decision on the issue of Sadar Hills without consulting the Nagas,” the UNC said.
It said the decision to lift the blockades was also taken keeping in view the appeals made by civil society organisations and the hardships of people. The UNC warned that it would re-enforce the blockades if government went against its assurances.

The Manipur government has welcomed the move. “It is better late than never,” minister and government spokesman N Biren told DNA.

The blockades were first enforced by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee on August 1 demanding the creation of Sadar Hills district.