Manipur: Economic blockade to be lifted on 20 March after meeting between UNC, state govt and Centre

The economic blockade in Manipur will be lifted on 20 March, reports on Sunday said. According to a report by ANI, the agreement to lift the blockade was reached after talks between the United Naga Council, the Manipur government and the Centre in Senapati, Manipur.

#Manipur: Indefinite economic blockade will be lifted from today midnight. pic.twitter.com/UubiCGqAXd

— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2017

The landlocked state has been experiencing severe hardship in supply of essential items since 1 November after United Naga Council (UNC) imposed an indefinite economic blockade on the two national highways that serve as lifeline for the state.

The blockade was imposed following the state government’s announcement of formation of seven new districts, four of which have been formally inaugurated. The UNC claims that the creation of new districts in the Naga dominated hill areas will encroach upon and divide the traditional land holdings of Naga tribes.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh had earlier said his government’s top priority would be to solve the four-month-long economic blockade that has caused immense hardship to the people.

Speaking to the media after the inauguration of the first-ever BJP government in the state, Singh had said, “We need to solve the crisis as soon as possible.”

With inputs from agencies