The United Naga Council suspended its economic blockade on NH-2 and NH-37 in Manipur from 6 p.m. Saturday after talks with the Centre and the Manipur government in Guwahati addressed the prolonged disruption and peace-building concerns.
Key Takeaways
- The UNC suspended its nearly four-month economic blockade on NH-2 and NH-37 in Manipur from 6 p.m. Saturday.
- The decision followed a tripartite meeting involving the Centre, the Manipur government and the UNC in Guwahati.
- The suspension is expected to ease the movement of essential commodities, fuel and other supplies into Manipur.
The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex organisation representing Naga tribes in Manipur, has suspended its nearly four-month economic blockade on the state’s National Highways following a tripartite meeting with the Centre and the Manipur government in Guwahati.
UNC Calls Off Highway Blockade
UNC president N.G. Lorho announced the decision after the tripartite discussions in Assam. He said the council agreed to suspend the agitation in line with the understanding reached among the Government of India, the Government of Manipur and the UNC.
The suspension took effect at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
In its statement, the UNC also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and solidarity extended by various stakeholders during the agitation.
The decision brings a pause to an economic blockade that had continued for almost four months and disrupted movement along two of Manipur’s most important highways.
Centre, Manipur Government Join Guwahati Talks
A senior official of the Manipur Home Department said the meeting took place at the BSF Guwahati Frontier headquarters at Garbhanga, near Guwahati.
The discussions focused on the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur and related peace-building measures.
Officials from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur government took part in the meeting. UNC leaders also attended the discussions.
The tripartite format brought together the Centre, the state government and the leading Naga organisation at a time when the prolonged highway disruption had affected the movement of goods into Manipur.
NH-2 and NH-37 Face Prolonged Disruption
The Imphal-Dimapur National Highway, or NH-2, and the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway, or NH-37, are critical road corridors for Manipur.
Both highways connect the landlocked northeastern state with neighbouring states and other parts of the country.
The blockade had affected the movement of vehicles and supplies along these routes. It also disrupted the transportation of essential commodities and fuel into the state.
The prolonged interruption contributed to higher prices of various goods and created difficulties for the movement of supplies through Naga-inhabited areas.
The suspension of the agitation is therefore expected to improve the flow of essential commodities, fuel and other supplies through the two highways.
Abduction and Killing Triggered Agitation
The UNC imposed the blockade in May after six Naga civilians were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district.
The village is predominantly inhabited by Kuki-Zo tribal people.
The bodies of the six abducted Naga villagers were recovered on June 10. Their recovery triggered anger and protests in several parts of Manipur.
The subsequent agitation by the UNC and other Naga civil society organisations centred on demands linked to the deaths of the six civilians and other issues raised by Naga groups.
The UNC had earlier maintained that the agitation would continue until action was taken over the deaths and the concerns raised by the Naga organisations.
Suspension Opens Space for Normal Movement
Guwahati meeting on Saturday assumes significance because the blockade had affected the two major highways that serve as key supply routes for Manipur.
The talks also brought the Centre, the state government and Naga civil society representatives together over issues linked to the prolonged disruption.
The tripartite engagement is expected to help restore normal movement along the affected routes. It also creates conditions for broader peace-building efforts in the state.
For Manipur, the immediate impact could be seen in the movement of essential goods and fuel through NH-2 and NH-37.
The two highways remain important links between Manipur, neighbouring states and the wider national road network.
The UNC’s decision marks a suspension of the economic blockade following months of disruption. The development also places renewed focus on the issues raised by Naga organisations after the abduction and killing of the six civilians. (Edited by Enewstime Desk)