Economic blockade enters 94th day in Manipur

UNC sources said that the Nagas in the state wanted to 'severe' all ties with the Manipur government and wanted an 'alternative arrangement' for themselves. They said that UNC representatives had met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on the demand and submitted a memorandum to him.

The adamant stand of the UNC on continuing the blockade since August 21 stemmed from the state government signing an agreement with the Kukis of Senapati district, a Naga majority one, to convert the Sadar hills area into a full fledged revenue district.

The demand was made by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC), which had also blockaded the two national highways Imphal-Jiribam Silachar and Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati for 94 days since August 1 before withdrawing it on October 31. The prices of all essential items have skyrocketed following the blockades.

The petrol was selling at Rs 200 per litre, diesel Rs 90 per litre and cooking gas (LPF) at around Rs 1650 per cylinder in the black market, market reports said.
Prices of onions, and other vegetables have not only gone up but were also not readily available, the reports said.