Blockade: Centre summons Nagaland, Manipur chief secretaries for meeting

NEW DELHI - Union Home Secretary G K Pillai has summoned the chief secretaries of Nagaland and Manipur to Delhi for emergency talks related to the ongoing Naga students economic blockade.

Pillai is expected to discuss steps to keep National Highway-39 open.

The expected arrival of the chief secretaries follows Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s discussions with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on the same issue.

At the request of the Manipur Government, the Home Ministry has decided to deploy additional paramilitary forces on National Highway -39 to remove the blockade and keep the highway open for the unhindered movement of traffic and goods.

Since the blockade began, the Union Government has taken several steps to ensure that supplies reach Manipur.

On May 18, two consignments of life saving drugs reached Imphal and an additional consignment of life saving drugs weighing four MT was airlifted by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Between May 17 and 23, over 492.52 quintals of PDS rice was airlifted from the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Guwahati by AN 32 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Transportation of essential commodities via National Highway -53 escorted by State Police has started since May 21.

Over1000 trucks and tankers with essential commodities such as petroleum products, rice, etc. have reached Manipur through this route.

An IL-76 aircraft carried 32 kilo ltrs of kerosene oil on May 21 and 48 kilo ltrs of HSD on May 22.

The Union Government also provided assistance for the transportation of essential commodities to Manipur through National Highway 150 with the help of the Government of Mizoram.

Between May 16 and June 7, over 180 goods vehicles and 37 POL tankers reached Manipur through this route.

In addition, supplies of essential goods to the Hill Districts of Manipur have been arranged by the District Administration and Naga Civil Society Groups.(ANI)