Manipuris take out peace rally to protest Naga students’ blockade in Guwahati

GUWAHATI - A number of Manipuris in Assam’s Guwahati city took out a peace rally on Tuesday against Naga students’ blockade.

Organised under the banner of ‘Greater Guwahati Manipuri Association’ the protestors expressed solidarity with the Manipuris and sought lifting of the blockade, as it has paralysed the general life here and caused an acute shortage of essential commodities like petrol, food grains, and medicines because of the road blockade.

“The main aim is that we want peace, the situation of Manipur is bad because of blockade resulting in a crisis situation in the Manipur. Prices of the commodities have shot up and with an aim to draw the attention of the authorities, we are demonstrating,” said Y Dhan Kumar Singh, President of Greater Guwahati Manipuri Association.

“We have requested honourable Prime Minister of India to solve these problems and also the Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Manipur, so that Manipur people get protection in Nagaland and be able to live peacefully with,” he added.

The blockade has created further tensions between Nagas and Manipuris.

Nagaland students have opposed the Manipuri government’s ban on barring the rebel Naga leader Thuingaleng Muivah of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) visiting his ancestral village Somdal in Ukhrul District.

The government had imposed an embargo on Muivah’s visit, contending it could create law and order problem in the state. (ANI)