After being assured by PM, Naga Students Federation call off blockade

NSF temporarily suspends blockade

After being assured by PM, Naga Students Federation call off blockade

Severe hardship caused because of the 64-day-old blockade of the two crucial national highways leading to Manipur, organised by the Naga Students Federation (NSF) will be suspended today but temporarily.

The announcement was made hours after Union government decided to send forces to break the blockade in Manipur.

Never-ending wait: A long line of cars wait at a petrol pump in Imphal during the blockade. Pic/ AFP

"The NSF will resume its agitation if the Manipur government failed to fulfill its demands in toto," said NSF Vice President Sinhilo Thong in an official statement.

The organisation had launched the blockade on NH-39 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-53 (Imphal-Jiribam) since April 12 protesting elections to Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur hills and Manipur government's decision to ban entry of NSCN leader T Muivah.

Reassurances
Prior to the decision, a team of students from Nagaland met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi. "We had a very good meeting with Manmohan Singh and submitted our representation. He listened to us and assured us an early solution," said NSF adviser Achumbemo Kikon.

However, Kikon maintained the relaxation will strictly be on temporary basis, subject to acceptance of their conditions. Their demands included removal of commandos from the state, withdrawal of arrest warrants against NSF leaders and an amendment to the formula of electing the six autonomous district councils in the hills in Manipur.

The Nagas, who inhabit the hills, contend that an amendment before the polls, a few months ago, took away the powers of the tribal people.

Earlier, the Union Home Ministry announced its decision to deploy about 2,000 paramilitary personnel to assist the Manipur government in clearing the blockade, which entered its 63rd day on the national highways 39 and 53.

Union Home Secretary G K Pillai and chief secretaries of Nagaland and Manipur have planned a meeting tomorrow in Delhi where the situation will be reviewed.

The economic blockade pushed Manipur on the verge of a breakdown with stocks of all essentials commodities, drying up.

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