Call off Mainpur blockade, appeals Chidambaram

Appealing to the United Naga Council to call off its 74-day economic blockade on two national highways in Manipur, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday said all issues could be sorted out through dialogue.

Economic blockades on national highways would not bring any solution to problems being confronted by many, Chidamabaram told a public meeting at the Tamenglong district headquarters town.

There is no problem which could not be solved through dialogue, he stressed at the meeting at which Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh was present. He said there was no dearth of funds for development of northeastern states, but it should be used properly.

The chief minister said civil society would be consulted before taking a final decision on the Sadar Hills issue. He appealed to contractors working in interior districts to finish their work in time.

The union minister, who inaugurated two electric power sub stations in Tamenglong district, appealed to all sections to live harmoniously and peacefully saying, "We are all Indians." He visited all three Naga-majority districts of Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong during his two-day visit.

Chidamabaram's visit is being viewed as important because it comes at a time the state government has decided to grant full-fledged district status to Kuki-majority Sadar Hills area in Naga-majority Senapati district.

The UNC has objected to giving of full-fledged revenue district status as demanded by Sadar Hills District Demand Committee, saying it should have been consulted before the government took a decision.

The SHDDC has been fighting for conversion of the Sadar Hills area into a full-fledged revenue district. The state government and SHDDC had signed an agreement on October 31 under which the state government agreed to grant district status to Sadar Hills area after receiving a report from the district reorganisation committee headed by Chief Secretary D S Poonia.