Six loaded trucks set afire in Manipur

Reports said the vehicles which were coming from the border town of Jiribam, about 222 Kms west of here, were set ablaze by suspected supporters of the economic blockade at Oinamlong, about 150 Kms west of here yesterday.

While Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) has launched economic blockades on Manipur portions of Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar (NH 53) since August 1 last to press demand for conversion of Kuki-majority Sadar Hills area in Naga-majority Senapati district, United Naga Council (UNC) opposing the demand launched economic blockades on NH 53 and Manipur section of NH 39 linking Numaligar in Assam to the Indo-Myanmar border from middle of August.

Official sources said the state government had issued orders to arrest leaders of the SHDDC some days ago for launching the economic blockades but so far no arrest was made.

Reports from the markets said prices of essential commodities have shot up due to scarcity of essential items due to economic blockades.

Official sources said between 300 to 400 vehicles used to ply everyday on the two national highways bringing in essential items from outside Manipur.

But due to economic blockade, trucks and oil tankers plied along the national highways twice or thrice a week with security escort, sources said.

Manipur social organisations have appealed to both the SHDDC and UNC to call off the economic blockades and launch some other type of agitation to press their demand.

Official sources said the state cabinet had met four or five times in the past one and half months but no decision could be taken on the Sadar Hills issue.

So far more than 20 loaded trucks have been set afire on the two national highways by suspected supporters of economic blockades in the past one and half months.