Imphal: Manipur representative to Lok Sabha MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has urged the central government to take up measures to clear blockades along the National Highway-37 and National Highway-2.
Raising the issue in the Parliament during the Zero Hour on Wednesday, Dr Bimol said the blockade has affected the economy and the Right to Life of the people.
These highways have been the site of illegal taxation by all kinds of armed groups for many years, he said. “A cement bag which cost Rs 300/350 at Dimapur (barely 200 km away from Imphal) is sold in Imphal at around Rs 700/800 in Imphal,” he cited.
The issue is a decades old problem. Things have become serious with the ongoing crisis (Meitei-Kuki conflict). Some people are holding the citizens of state to ransom in the name of separate administration. They have been trying to object the free movement of the population on these highways. They have also resisted to the idea of resettlement of people in their original homes. This has been going on from the day one, he added.
The MP said people are partitioned on communal lines. People have to travel to Guwahati or Kolkata by air.
“I would recommend and appreciate the move of the governor to open these highways. But it seems that he has buckle down under the pressure from the communal forces which is positioning the so called Seperate Administration as an issue to justify deprivation of basic human rights of citizens…The government must take firm action to clear these roads and allow free movement of citizens in the state.
The Manipur crisis erupted on May 3, 2023. Many had left their homes, and connectivity has been cut off since then.
Kuki-Zo people have been demanding for a separate administration as the conflict continued. Kuki Manipur MLAs have been pressing the Centre for the demand by the community who have been addressed as immigrants.
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