MHA raps Manipur govt for ‘failure’ to open blocked NH-2

Asks Zeliang to ensure smooth passage of vehicles in Nagaland

New Delhi, Dec. 22: Concerned over long blockade of a highway connecting Manipur, the Home Ministry on Thursday rapped the state government for “failing” to discharge its “constitutional” duties as it has been unable to ensure smooth flow of traffic on the road despite repeated requests.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also told Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang to ensure that there is no disturbance in movement of vehicles going through his state to enable supplies to pass through as there have been reports of Naga Students Federation calling blockade of vehicles in Nagaland.

“As you are aware that due to blockade of NH-2 by certain elements movement of essentials and other supplies have been adversely and seriously affected, causing great distress to the people of Manipur. The Government of India is trying to persuade the state government to keep NH-2 open for which the Ministry of home Affairs provided additional forces to them.” Rajnath said in his letter to Zeliang.
In a tough message to Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, the Home Minister said there has been extremely distressing situation caused by the continuous blockade of National Highway-2, which has caused an acute shortage of essential and other goods in Manipur and breakdown of law and order.

“The state government has failed to keep the National Highway-2 open, inspite of government of India’s repeated requests and making available Central forces to assist the local forces,” the Home Minister told the Manipur Chief Minister.

The Home Minister told the Manipur Chief Minister that he is advising him again to ensure the supply of essential commodities to Manipur through National Highway-2, rationally using the assistance of Central forces, as necessary.

“Maintaining of law and order and essential supplies are constitutional obligations of the state government which has to do so and take leadership.

“For the sake of people of Manipur, I call upon you to discharge these constitutional obligations with utmost promptness, while reiterating government of India’s commitment to support your forces in keeping NH-2 open,” he said.

Work for peace, Manipur women organisations urged

EMN, Dimapur, Dec. 22: Expressing anguish over the violence in Manipur, the Indigenous Women Forum of Northeast India (IWFNEI) has urged Manipur mothers group and all women’s organisations in the state to “reignite its role in peacemaking”.

Condemning the targeting of religious sanctuary, attack on students returning home for holidays and destruction of immovable and movable properties “which amount to psychological warfare”, the IWFNEI, in a release, on Thursday said these acts should be refrained at all cost as all revengeful tactics will never solve the problems.

“At this juncture of hatred and hostility, what the State of Manipur needs most is to rebuild its harmony of existing together despite its differences among communities and tribes,” the women forum said.

This role of rebuilding harmony can best be executed by the women and mothers of the State, the IWFNEI said and appealed to all the mothers, sisters and daughters of Manipur to join hands and work for peace in their state.