Manipur CM Says ‘Will Walk The Extra Mile’

Imphal, Jun 6 : Its Manipur's longest highway blockade in recent memory and with the food and supply situation going from bad to worse the CM has agreed to walk the extra mile to break the deadlock.

"We are discussing not just financial powers even including delegation more admin power," said Ibobi Singh, Manipur Chief Minister.

When asked as to whether he is ready to concede to all the demands, he said, "No, there should be some limits but let them give us suggestions we have no hesitation to give any further amendment."

The fact that he is ready to walk that extra mile could be seen as the first indication of a possible breakthrough to the economic blockade imposed by Naga pressure groups in the hills of Manipur demanding greater autonomy.

Meanwhile the CM has passed on the responsibility to the Centre for hammering out a solution with these groups and the militant outfit NSCN(IM) supporting the blockade.

"I've repeatedly told the Centre that because of their talks we can't suffer. The Centre should be more serious, " the CM added.

The longest eco blockade in Manipur in recent memory was in 2005 a 52 day blockade, that record has now been broken but one of the most critical areas of concern for people is cooking gas which has run out. Whatever was available in the black-market for about Rs 1200 too has run out and so people have resorted to cooking with firewood or husk.

However, everyone doesn't have provision of cooking with firewood. 

Kavita, a Khumbong resident, says she needs to refill cooking gas urgently. " I have to manage a family of seven members, I need to cook for them. I am really worried," she said.

A convoy of six hundred trucks with essential commodities will be escorted over the weekend but for a state crippled under one of the longest economic embargo more political will be required to clear the blockades.