As the ongoing indefinite economic blockade on National Highway 39, called by several Naga groups, enters 60th day on Wednesday, the frontier state of Manipur has started reeling under the acute shortage of food, medicines and other essential supplies like cooking gas, diesel and patrol.
The Naga groups have called for an indefinite blockade of National Highway 39, lifeline for Manipur, in protest against the decision of the state government to not allow NSCN (I-M) leader Thuingaleng Muivah to visit his native village in Ukhrul district of the state.
The spokesperson of the state government, N. Biren Singh told reporters, “The crisis of essential food items is acute and shortage of life saving medicines was making the life more difficult for the people.”
The Manipur government had banned entry of separatist leader to the state, fearing unrest following his visit allegedly aimed to muster support for the proposed greater Nagaland comprising Naga-dominated areas of Manipur, Arunchal Pradesh and Assam.
Mr Biren Singh, who is also a minister, admitted that the people who are suffering for the last 60 days are getting restive.
Expressing surprise over the silence of New Delhi, he told reporters, “Muivah is holding the state to ransom and it is surprising that New Delhi is silent on the issue. The Central government should have intervened long back to break the deadlock.”
Though, special arrangements were done to ensure some supplies to the state by airlifting rice and medicines, besides escorting about 500 trucks through National Highway 53 via the adjoining state of Assam, it was not enough to cater to the daily requirements of essentials items in the state.
The landlocked Manipur largely depends for its essential supplies from outside the region and the National Highway 39, passing through Nagaland, has been the lifeline for the state.
Though, home ministry had asked Mr Muivah to suspend his agitation to end the deadlock, he is adamant on visiting his birthplace in Ukhrul district.
“I have every right to visit my birthplace and I would do so,” Th. Muivah told reporters recently.