Manipur Mayhem: Internet services stopped for third day, curfew continues

Imphal: The Manipur government continued to clamped prohibitory orders to stop movement of people in Imphal East and Imphal West for the third day today. The suspension of internet services is likely to continue till December 24. Piqued over the inability of the Central government to resolve the crisis civil societies have decided to ban visit of central ministers to the state. In some parts of the two districts, curfew was relaxed from 0930 hrs to 1830 hrs to enable people go to market. People have become restive due to shortage of essential supplies, medicines, food, petrol etc due to indefinite blockade launched by the UNC since October 31 last.

Tribal organisations and Church bodies in the valley and the hill areas have started expressing their concern over the ongoing blockade which may affect celebration of Christmas. Leaders of all the communities settled in Manipur have formed a body "Good Will Mission for Peaceful Co-existence" to bring back normalcy in the state. Representatives of 15 organisatons representing the majority Meitei community who belong to the general category, Naga, Kuki and other tribal representatives and Muslim bodies decided to convene a public meeting on December 21 next to discuss the situation.

All inter and intra state passenger services were cancelled. Over 100 vehicles carrying passengers were stranded on the Assam Nagaland border areas as an organisation of Nagaland has blocked all Manipur bound vehicles. All schools remained closed. The government today announced that government employees will be exempted from the purview of the curfew. Seven different civil society organisations have urged the state government to let the people handle the present issue if the government cannot do anything to stop the UNC. Seven civil societies have asked all Central ministers to stop visiting the state as the Centre has failed to resolve the impasse.

They alleged the Central ministers only give assurance and nothing was done. International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), People's Action for National Development Movement (Pandm), Kanglei Apunba Meira Lup (Kanglamei), Kanglei Ima Lup (KIL), Kangleipak Students Association (KSA), Chanura Lamchinglen Kangleipak (CKL) and All Manipur Club Organisation Association and Meira Lup (ACOAM Lup) said they will oppose any visit. The state Cabinet has decided to provide assistance of Rs 20 lakh to next of kins of any policemen killed by suspected NSCN(IM) cadres.

A job will also be provided to a family member. BJP MLA Kh Joykishan has appealed to the UNC to lift the indefinite economic blockade in view of the extreme misery being endured by all sections of people. State BJP leaders had appealed to the Centre to help in resolving the crisis as the UNC is a frontal organisation of NSCN(IM). The Centre had signed a framework agreement last year with the NSCN(IM). A team of BJP led by Kh Joykishan MLA today left Imphal for New Delhi to seek help. Before departing for New Delhi, Joykishan said many were under the impression that only the Meitei was living in the valley areas and people from Naga tribes were enforcing the blockade. There are large number of tribals in the valley areas. Most of the tribals belonging to Naga tribes have opposed the blockade openly. (UNI)