Yashwant Sinha demands president's rule in Manipur

IMPHAL: Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha today demanded immediate impositon of central rule in Manipur because of indefinite economic blockade by some organisations on two national highways which are considered lifelines of the state.

Representatives of all political parties in the country should come and see the problems as thay did in Jammu and Kashmir and then only they would understand the gravity of the situation, Sinha told a party function here.

If the matter was not looked into, BJP would raise the issue in Parliament, the former union finance minister said.

United Naga Council has launched indefinite economic blockade on Manipur portions of two national highways since August 21 to oppose the demand of the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee to upgrade Sadar Hills area in Senapati district into a district.

Official sources said more than 80 trucks including oil tankers arrived today with security escort and people had started getting petrol and its products.

"Our Patience is running out and we may take stern action," Chief Minister Ibobi Singh had said at a funtion yestersday.