Blocking Manipur's Lifeline: 'My Way' Or The Highway, Say Protesters

Senapati (Manipur), Oct 31 : On the National Highway No 2 in Manipur's Senapati district, trucks burnt by protesters are a common sight now. This highway connects state capital Imphal to Assam, and is the lifeline for getting supplies into the state. The highway has been blocked for over three months now, paralysing life in the state capital and other districts.

Over the years, blocking highways has become the focal point of protests in Manipur. For the people of the state, it's almost like an annual feature of sorts now. The reason for blocking highways changes every year. What is constant is how these blockades have become a reflection of troubled times in this north-eastern state.

Last year, a blockade on this road lasted for 68 days. This time, it has been three months so far. A local group demanding a separate Kuki tribe dominated district to be carved out of Senapati district has called for the blockade. Opposing their demand are the Naga tribals, who have imposed a counter-blockade on the road, saying nothing can be done without consulting them. The conflict is the result of ethnic tensions between the Nagas and Kukis.

"Economic blockades have become a culture in Manipur. There is no other effective way of putting forward our demands," says Ngamkhohao Haokip, the president of Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee.

The opposing group too has its own justification for blocking the highway. "We have to choose how the government will listen. And we also have to attract the attention of the outside world," says S Milan, Information and Publicity Secretary of the United Naga Council.

Starting Tuesday, leaders heading the agitation have called a two-day strike across the state. The strike will be indefinite in Senapati district, the epicentre of protests.
Given the enormity of the situation, this response by a senior government minister may not seem adequate.

"They are our own people. We can only try and convince them and that we are doing," said N Biren Singh.

Politically, it is a tight-rope walk for the Manipur government as it is caught between the Kuki demand for a separate state and the opposition to this by the Naga tribe.
But what has also baffled many in Manipur is the cold response of the Central government to the crisis in Manipur.

So far, not one central minister has visited the state since the blockade was enforced. All eyes are now on Union Home Minister P Chidambaram's visit to Manipur on November 2. He is coming to inaugurate govt projects, but it is expected that he may spell out the central government's stand on the blockade.

For now though, with no clear direction from the state government or the Centre, the situation in Manipur seems to be going from bad to worse.