Partial lifting of economic blockade providing no relief in Manipur

Imphal, Nov 2 (ANI): The news of the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) lifting the blockade in Manipur, following a written assurance from the State government to upgrade Sadar Hills as a full fledged district, has brought no respite to the people of the Manipur as a counter economic blockade by United Naga Council (UNC) continues to be in full swing along the national highways.

The SHDDC imposed economic blockade of the state began from August 1, as a counter to it the United Naga Council imposed an economic blockade from August 21 onwards.

The people of the state were not too pleased with the news and complained that this partial lifting of the blockade was adding insult to injury.

"This blockade, which has been removed from one side, but continues from the other side, I have request for them, they should consider the plight of the people. They should take their grievances to the government and talk to them," said Mohammad Abdul Salam, a local.

The locals continued their plea to the UNC to end their blockade and raise their demands directly to the government.

Local shopkeepers welcomed the lifting of three months long economic blockade by the SHDDC but were apprehensive about the UNC blockade along national highways 37 and 39.

"To convey your demands, other methods need to be considered. Sit on a protest or a demonstration, but this blockade needs to be removed. The needs of the public must also be considered. You have your demands, but think of the public too," said Amit Jain, a shopkeeper.

"Public is earning meager amounts of rupees 100 or 200, not everybody is a billionaire. Today a cylinder is for rupees 2000, potatoes are rupees 60 per kg. This is not correct, how much more can we tolerate?" he added.

The SHDDC's decision to end the blockade came after a marathon meeting with the state government, which went late into the night.

Of the terms agreed in a MoU between the two parties the most prominent was the government agreeing to upgrade Sadar Hills to a full-fledged district at the earliest after the report of the District Re-organisation Committee. (ANI)