Chidambaram expresses concern over blockade in Manipur

IMPHAL: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today expressed concern over the blockade on two national highways in Manipur since August as its sponsor resolved to continue with it and also called a three-day statewide bandh from midnight tomorrow.

Expressing concern that the blockade on NH-39 and NH-53 since August 21 was hitting supply of essential commodities, Chidamaram discussed law and order with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh as also many other issues on the first day of his two-day visit to the state, official sources said.

Government officials were, however, tight-lipped and did not reveal details of the meeting.

Earlier in the day, Chidamabaram inaugurated a mini-secretariat at the Senapati district headquarters town and appealed to the people to settle all issues through dialogue.

He also visited Naga-dominated Ukhrul district bordering Myanmar, where he inaugurated a sub-divisional officer's office, a school building and an electricity office, official reports said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of the United Naga Council said the economic blockade on the two national highways would continue and called a three-day bandh in the state from midnight tomorrow to protest the government's assurance of turning the Sadar Hills area in Senapati district into a separate district.

The Sadar Hills District Demand Committee had withdrawn it 92-day economic blockade on the two national highways on the midnight of October 31 following assurance by the state government that their demand for conversion of Sadar hills area in Senapati district into a district would be looked into.