Daily News

Imphal: In Manipur, the ongoing economic blockade by the Naga groups is severely impacting essentialcommodity prices forcing residents in the state to take on the streets.

Manipur is experiencing an explosion of prices with rice selling at Rs 100 per kilogram, LPG at Rs 1,200 a cylinder and petrol at Rs 150 per litre. The blockade of National Highway-39 by the Naga bodies is in retaliation to the Manipur government's decision to stop NSCN-IM general secretary T Muivah's visit to his ancestral village in Ukhrul district and, also in protest against the death of two Naga boys in firing by security forces deployed to stop Muivah's entry to Manipur. In Manipur's capital Imphal, the anger is evident. As a counter measure against the blockade, women vendors of Imphal's IMA market have decided to hit back by imposing a counter blockade to the hill districts by stopping supply of goods from the city to those districts.

"The price of all essential items are going up due to their blockade, we are suffering to the extreme. In this situation, it is obvious that we have to block the goods being supplied to them," says RK Radhesana, a protestor.

The ongoing violence is a result of the NSCN-IM's demand to integrate various Naga inhabited areas of Manipur under a Greater Nagaland. This demand is staunchly opposed by the Manipur government.

However, on Saturday, cutting across community lines, people hit by the situation took to the streets and carried out this protest rally.

M Namreilung, a protestor belonging to the Zeliangrong community in Manipur says he supports the state government's decision to bar Muivah from entering Manipur.

"If he had come as a civilian or a Manipuri, he could be allowed. But he is coming as a general secretary of the NSCN-IM and should not be allowed," says Namreilung.

Silently watching the divide between people and communities widen are the Home Ministry officials in New Delhi who had earlier asked the Manipur government to provide protection to Muivah. Their request was thoroughly rejected by the state government. Two deaths and a week later, people in the state continue to suffer.