<p>The blockade had began by the UNC on Imphal-Dimapur- Guwahati NH-39 and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar NH 53 on August 4 demanding, among others, lifting of Section 144 CrPC and withdrawal of state forces from some hill areas.<br /><br />A UNC spokesman said the decision to extend the 20-day blockade was taken at a meeting on August 21 as the government had not conceded to the demands.<br /><br />Official sources said the UNC's decision to extend the blockade followed the August 19 statement of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in Lok Sabha ruling out division of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to accommodate the demand of Nagalim or Greater Nagaland.<br /><br />They said despite the blockade, vehicles laden with essential items and escorted by central forces have been plying along the two national highways.<br /><br />The August 4 blockade began after a crippling 68-day economic blockade of the NH-39 and NH-53, called by the All Naga Students Association, Manipur, had ended on June 18. It was called in protest against holding of elections to the autonomous district councils in the hills.</p>
<p>The blockade had began by the UNC on Imphal-Dimapur- Guwahati NH-39 and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar NH 53 on August 4 demanding, among others, lifting of Section 144 CrPC and withdrawal of state forces from some hill areas.<br /><br />A UNC spokesman said the decision to extend the 20-day blockade was taken at a meeting on August 21 as the government had not conceded to the demands.<br /><br />Official sources said the UNC's decision to extend the blockade followed the August 19 statement of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in Lok Sabha ruling out division of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to accommodate the demand of Nagalim or Greater Nagaland.<br /><br />They said despite the blockade, vehicles laden with essential items and escorted by central forces have been plying along the two national highways.<br /><br />The August 4 blockade began after a crippling 68-day economic blockade of the NH-39 and NH-53, called by the All Naga Students Association, Manipur, had ended on June 18. It was called in protest against holding of elections to the autonomous district councils in the hills.</p>