As the state and central governments remain mute spectators to the arm-twisting of civil organisations in the North Eastern state of Manipur, the state remains crippled by economic blockades and is in dire straits as it is running short of every essential commodity, be it fuel, eatables or medicines, even
The economic blockade, which has entered its 73rd day on Wednesday, has been the longest ever economic blockade the landlocked North Eastern state had been witness to.
The Kuki tribe dominated Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) has been imposing the economic blockade on national highways 39 and 53, both lifelines for Manipur, since July 31 in demand of a full-fledged Sadar Hills district.
On the other hand, the Naga inhabitants of the area, under the banner of United Naga Council (UNC), are also on a war-path as they believe any such move would result in dividing Naga people into two districts.
The UNC too had imposed a counter-blockade of national highway 150, which connects Nagaland with Mizoram, via Manipur, since August 21.
Imposing economic blockades by choking the national highways have become a preferred mode of registering protest by various tribes in the state. Manipur had been witness to many such blockades in the past, with last year’s 69 days blockade still fresh in the memory. However, likewise in past, both the state and central governments have been inept in handling the crisis situation; thus fuelling it further.
With entry routes to Manipur completely chocked due to the blockades, prices of good and commodities are going through the roof, causing immense hardship to the common people.
Though limited number of trucks are being escorted by security personnel to Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, scarcity of essential commodities is being felt across the state.
As per Manipur’s economics and statistics department’s figure, the loss the state suffered in monetary terms due to the economic blockade had been Rs. 250 crore till the 64th day.
It is reported that many hospitals in the state had to stop conducting surgeries or admitting patients due to lack of medicines and medical oxygen.
LPG cylinders are being sold at Rs. 2,000 in the black market, so is petrol at Rs. 250 a litre.
Prices of vegetables and eatables too have skyrocketed, with black marketers and hoarders ruling the roost.
Despite goods-laden trucks to Manipur being escorted by security personnel, there have been reports of torching of trucks by protesters in recent days, prompting the truckers to threaten to stop offering their services in these troubled days.