Days ahead of the proposed visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Manipur, the effect of the “trade embargo” called by Naga bodies on all transit routes passing through the state’s Naga-majority districts is starting to be felt, with over a hundred trucks and tankers stranded on highways in the state.
Key highways through which goods enter the state, including NH-02 — a transit route from Nagaland’s Dimapur – and NH- 37 – a transit route from Assam’s Silchar — all pass through Naga-majority districts such as Senapati and Tamenglong.
According to All Jiribam Road Transport Union leader L Maniton Singh, 43 oil tankers and 75 trucks loaded with goods are stranded in Jiribam district, which is the entry point into Manipur from Silchar.
“The vehicles are not able to enter the next district, Tamenglong, where there is a blockade. It will continue to pile up as another 110 petroleum tankers from Silchar are expected to arrive on Thursday. On top of this, around 200 empty trucks moving out of the state are stuck between Noney and Tamenglong, apart from 75 other loaded vehicles. Because of damage to the roads in the monsoon, the Dimapur to Imphal route is not being used by heavy loaded vehicles currently,” he said.
Confirming the development, a senior official from Tamenglong district said, “As of now, we are focusing on facilitating the movement of the empty vehicles towards Jiribam. Efforts are also on to negotiate and allow the movement of loaded vehicles.”
The blockade or “trade embargo” was imposed by the United Naga Council — the apex group of Nagas in Manipur — starting on the night of September 8 to protest against the Centre’s “unilateral” decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and fence the Indo-Myanmar border. Leaders of the group met top state government officials, led by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, on Monday, and he had requested them to call it off. However, they went ahead, citing a lack of commitment regarding their demands.
Meanwhile, the Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of seven Valley-based militant outfits, announced a “boycott” of Modi’s visit.
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The group called for a total shutdown, excluding essential services, from 1 am on September 13 until the Prime Minister leaves the state. CorCom said the Prime Minister’s visit was not intended to restore peace but aimed at fostering enmity between communities by exploiting “proxy-war elements”.
The militant groups accused the central government of being indifferent to the plight of the people, particularly those directly affected by the conflict.
The Churachandpur-based Kuki-Zo Council, on the other hand, issued a statement saying it “welcomes” the PM, pushing its demand for a separate administration.
“For years, we have been voicing our demand for complete separation from Manipur, seeking a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature under Article 239A of the Constitution. This demand arises not from convenience, but from necessity—for peace, security, and survival of our people. As the leader of our great nation, we are confident that the Prime Minister will give due recognition to our voice, our pain, and our aspirations,” the statement read.
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While all this is playing out, the BJP’s Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra and its Manipur-in-charge Ajeet Gopchade arrived in the state on Wednesday and held meetings with party MLAs in Imphal.
Amid stringent security measures, the Churachandpur administration announced prohibition on the use, carrying and brandishing of air guns within the district.
(With inputs from Jimmy Leivon)