The Manipur government on Sunday did some tough talking, threatening that it would be left with no other options but to “use our means” to resolve the crisis arising out of the ongoing economic blockades.
The Manipur government on Sunday did some tough talking, threatening that it would be left with no other options but to “use our means” to resolve the crisis arising out of the ongoing economic blockades.
“We will try to negotiate. (However, if problem persists), we have to use our means,” Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh told journalists here.
The Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) imposed economic blockades on national highways 39 and 53 on August 1 demanding the creation of Sadar Hills district. Soon after, the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga organisation of Manipur, enforced similar blockades on the same routes protesting the government’s alleged attempts to bifurcate Naga-dominated areas for creation of the new district.
Last week, the SHDDC lifted its blockade following the government’s assurances to look into its demand. But the UNC seems to be in no mood to lift it. The government could not break the ice even after several rounds of talks with it.
Ibobi said if the blockades continued, government would be left with little options. “We have to clear one of the two highways for our survival…We have to face any eventualities,” he said. The chief minister said his government was considering bringing in a legislation to ban bandhs and blockades.
“There are Supreme Court directives in this regard. However, at the moment, we want to try and resolve the crisis through negotiations,” he said.
The chief minister admitted that the present stock of essential commodities was ‘not good’. “However, we are trying to improve the situation”.
The state government was using national highway 53 to escort goods-laden trucks into the state once in a week. But to add to its woes, a major bridge in Assam collapsed recently snapping road communication leading to Manipur. “I have spoken to my Assam counterpart. We hope they will do the needful at the earliest,” Ibobi said.
There is a short supply of essential commodities in the state following the blockades and the prices have also spiraled like never before.
Petrol and diesel now cost Rs180-240 and Rs80-100 a litre in the black market. An LPG cylinder costs about Rs1,800 to 2,000. The locals say potato now costs Rs30-40 and onion Rs60 a kg. An egg costs Rs10. In fact, there is an acute shortage of essential commodities.
“We want immediate regulation of the prices,” says Abdul Haque of All Manipur Students’ Union.
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