An influential tribal body in Manipur on Monday reimposed indefinite blockade on two vital National Highways after accusing the rival community for disrupting supplies of essential commodities in the tribal dominated areas.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) spearheading the indefinite blockade on the Imphal-Dimapur (NH-2) and Imphal-Jiribam (NH-37) National Highways in Kangpokpi district is demanding uninterrupted and adequate supplies of essential commodities in the hill areas of the state inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community.
Officials said that a large number of men and women in Kangpokpi district enforced the blockade and prevented movement of goods-laden vehicles.
COTU General Secretary Lamminlun Singsit said, "We had earlier given an ultimatum that we would block both NH-2 and NH-37 from August 21 if uninterrupted and adequate supplies of food grains, essential commodities and live-saving drugs are not supplied to the tribal areas."
Another tribal organisation, Kuki Zo Defence Force, also announced that it would join the highway blockade if supplies of essentials are not made to the Kuki Zo inhabited areas.
The NH-2, the surface lifeline of Manipur, was blocked for nearly two months after ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3. With the intervention of the Central government, the blockade was withdrawn last month.
The NH-2 and NH-37 are the two vital National Highways of Manipur to maintain surface communication with the rest of the country via Nagaland and Assam.
FIR lodged against two jail staff over escape of militant from prison
In a major development to the incident of escape of militant from the Bishalgarh Kendriya Sansodhanagar on Tuesday last, an FIR has been lodged against the warder and the guard commander of the prison.
Fight over free ration: Kharge promises 10 kg against NDA’s 5kg if INDIA bloc forms govt
Amid the high-decibel campaign and fierce competition between BJP and the INDIA bloc to woo new voters, the free ration to the country’s 80 crore citizens has become a new rallying point for the latter.
Despite objections from Opposition parties, PoK becoming part of India is reality: HM Shah
Despite opposition from a section of political parties in the country, the event of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) becoming an integral part of India is now a reality, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday.
Rajasthan mine accident: Chief vigilance officer dies, 14 rescued
A senior vigilance officer at Hindustan Copper Limited died after a lift collapsed at the Kolihan mine in Rajasthan's Neem Ka thana district, said officials, adding that 14 trapped people have been rescued.
India surpasses Australia, Japan, Hong Kong in data centre capacity
India has surpassed major countries like Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore, and Korea becoming the country with the highest data centre capacity of 950 MW in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China), according to a private report released on Wednesday.
EVMs stored in 50 strongrooms under strict security: Assam CEO
EVMs with VVPAT machines used for the recently conducted Lok Sabha polls in Assam were kept in about 50 strongrooms across the state under strict security measures, said state Chief Election Officer Anurag Goel on Wednesday.
SC orders release of NewsClick editor in UAPA case
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the release of NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha, who was arrested by the Delhi Police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act over allegations that the media outlet received money to spread pro-China propaganda.
Rajasthan mine accident: Eight of 15 trapped employees rescued
Eight of the 15 employees, including vigilance officers and workers of Hindustan Copper Ltd, who were trapped at 1,875 ft in a mine at Kolihan near Khetri in Rajasthan's Neem Ka thana district, were rescued on Wednesday, said officials here, adding that the operation was underway and soon others will be taken out.