Union Home Ministry concerned over shortage of essential commodities on Manipur owing to road blockade

Blockades anywhere in India a gross violation of law, the MHA said in a release on Monday.

The Ministry said that it is concerned about the ongoing blockade on NH 37 in Manipur and the consequent shortage of essential commodities faced by the people of Manipur.

The Government of India is firmly committed to maintaining rule of law and considers blockades anywhere in India a gross violation of law and a crime against humanity causing untold suffering to countless humans, the MHA said.

No individual or organisation will be allowed to take the law into their own hands, warned the ministry.

The Government of India,  to ensure that the routes to Manipur are open and remain accessible to all, including supplies of petroleum products, and other essential commodities, including foodstuff, has stationed 15 companies of Central Forces in Manipur at the disposal of the state government.

Last week another 15 companies of Central Forces were made available to the state government to enable the state government to have the blockade lifted.

The central government, through the MHA, has appealed to the United Naga Council (UNC) to remove its illegal blockade in view of the difficulties faced by the people of Manipur. All contentious issues need to be settled peacefully by democratic and lawful means, the ministry said.

The UNC enforced the blockade on NH37 on November 1 to protest against the Okram Ibobi Singh government’s move to upgrade Sadar Hills and Jiribam to full-fledged districts, according to media reports.