Nagas lift highway blockade

An indefinite economic blockade of Manipur by several Naga groups ended on Friday with the last of the two splinter organisations calling off the 68-day agitation that led to shortage of food and medicines in the state. The All Nagaland Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM) and the United Naga Council (UNC) announced the suspension of their economic blockade from Friday evening. The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), the apex group that called the indefinite blockade, last week withdrew the strike after their leaders met the PM.
The three Naga groups had blocked highways to protest against a Manipur ban on separatist leader Thuingaleng Muivah from visiting his birthplace in Manipur. But despite the blockade being lifted, trucks are unlikely to roll into Manipur with drivers unwilling to ply on NH-39 linking Assam to Manipur via Nagaland. “There is a growing fear factor about possible attacks on truckers by Naga protesters along the route,” a member of the Manipur Truck Owners Welfare Association said. Meanwhile, the Centre has airlifted five companies of paramilitary troopers to Manipur for escorting trucks into the state.