Lift the economic blockade before talks: CM Okram Ibobi Singh

GUWAHAI: The economic blockade imposed by Nagas continued in Manipur even as Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that United Naga Council must first lift the embargo before the state can talk to it about their demands.

The UNC blockade since November 1, after the state government declared that Sadar Hills and Jiribam would be made full-fledged districts, has created untold hardships for the people of the state.

The UNC has said that the blockade was because the districts were declared without consulting tribal organisations and now demands the release of its leaders Gaidon Kamei and Stephen Sangkhil, arrested in the wake of the blockade.

UNC wants the talks to be held in Senapati district, but the state government insists that talks should be held either in Imphal or New Delhi. The state has also approached the Centre, complaining that the ceasefire militant outfit, NSCN-IM had violated ceasefire ground rules and was engaged in attacking security forces inside Manipur.

The chief minister said that the Centre has been informed about the recent incidents and violation of ceasefire by NSCN-IM. The police have not been able to make any arrests regarding the recent attacks.

“The hilly terrain has been taken to their advantage, after the attacks, they flee from the spot. We have enough security measures now. We will not let them go.” Ibobi said, “the highways can be taken by force but the state refrains from doing so as the Naga community are our people.”

The newly-formed districts are Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Pherzawl, Noney, Kamjong, Jiribam and Kakching. Among the original nine districts, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati are Naga-dominated. With this total number of districts are 16 in Manipur. The state has witnessed ethnic conflict, like several other neighbours in the northeast, with its hills, inhabited by Nagas and Kuki tribes, in conflict with the Meiteis who live in the Imphalvalley.