Manipur blockade lifted ahead of PM visit

The United Naga Council on Monday lifted its 100-day economic blockade on the Manipur side of two national highways without any condition but with a caveat that agitation would be re-launched if the government did not make an 'alternative arrangement' for Nagas in the state.

While UNC president Adani did not say why the blockade was called off, sources indicated that it was done because of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi's scheduled visit to Manipur on December 3 to inaugurate new constructions including an assembly complex.

The UNC had launched the blockade on the Manipur side of two national highways NH 39 and NH 53 on August 21 to protest against signing of an agreement between Manipur government and Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) under which the government agreed to grant Kuki-majority Sadar Hills in Naga majority Senapati district the status of a full-fledged revenue district.

The UNC said it wanted an 'alternative arrangement' for Nagas in Manipur but did not clarify what this arrangement was.

SHDDC had ended its economic blockade demanding the district status for the Sadar Hills area on the same national highways after 94 days on October 31.