Manipur Economic Blockade: Timeline

Manipur choked, struggles for basic needs
Vehicles form a queue for oil near a petrol pump in Manipur state capital Imphal on June 9, 2010. Residents of the remote state in Manipur are running out of essential supplies as an economic blockade imposed by tribal rebels nears its 60th day, officials say. Several Naga tribal groups have blocked the main highway into Manipur state since April 12 to protest against a government decision preventing their separatist leader, Thuingaleng Muivah, from visiting his birthplace. (AFP)


By Oinam Sunil

Guwahati, Jun 14 : Petrol is selling at Rs 100 a litre and that’s a bit of respite. Last week, it was selling for Rs 170 a litre and that too was scarce. A cylinder of cooking gas is going for Rs 1,800.

Manipuri women protest economic blockade of NH-39

Manipuri women preventing traders from transporting food items to Naga-inhabited hill districts in reaction to the economic blockade on NH-39 by Naga groups, at a bus stand in Imphal on Saturday, May 15, 2009. (PTI)

Routine surgeries were put off at all hospitals because most medicine shelves were empty and oxygen cylinders couldn’t be refilled.

Patrolling in Manipur-Nagaland border

A joint team of Imphal East Police and Assam Rifles patrolling a hilly road to prevent entry of NSCN(I-M) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah to Manipur, at Liyai in Senapati district of the state bordering Nagaland on Friday, June 11, 2010. (PTI)

That’s a snapshot of life in the last two months in Imphal and most parts of Manipur where protesters, mostly Naga students’ groups, choked National Highway 39, the lifeline of the state, which borders Myanmar.

Protest against Thuingaleng Muivah's entry

Manipur women march with a banner during a protest against NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah's entry in the state, in Imphal on Saturday, May 29, 2010. (PTI)

The protests are directed at Okram Ibobi Singh government’s decision to not allow the separatist Naga group NSCN (IM) general secretary T Muivah to visit his native village Somdal in Ukhrul district. NH-39 connects Manipur to Dimapur, the closest railhead.

Protest at Mao

Security men fire teargas shells to disperse protesters who were demonstrating against their deployment to check the entry of NSCN-IM Secretary General Thuingaleng Muivah into Manipur, at Mao gate on Thursday, May 6, 2009. (PTI)

The blockade in Manipur is for three reasons. The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (Ansam), started its agitation from April 12 in protest against the holding of Autonomous District Council (ADC) polls in the hill districts as it feels the ADC Act ‘‘ suppresses tribal rights’’.

GGMA rally in Guwahati

Members of Greater Guwahati Manipuri Association (GGMA) take part in a peace rally in the wake of prevailing tension in Manipur over NSCN (IM) leader Thuingaleng Muivah's visit to the state, in Guwahati on Tuesday, May 11, 2009. (PTI)

The Manipur government, meanwhile, declared Ansam president David Choro and United Naga Council (UNC) president Samson Remei as ‘‘wanted’’ and announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh on them. The UNC also backed the blockade.

Muivah meets Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio (R) shakes hands with NSCN (I-M) leader Thuingaleng Muivah at Viswema village in Nagaland on Friday, May 7, 2009. Muivah is camping at Viswema after the Manipur government barred his entry into the state. (PTI)

The crisis was compounded with NSCN (IM) supporters joining the blockade after the Ibobi Singh-led Congress government prevented Muivah from visiting Somdal over fears it might reignite the greater Nagaland and separatist movements. Security officials, however, suspect that those who called the blockade were close to the NSCN (IM) and the intention was to choke Manipur’s lifeline.

Naga women and children sit at a temporary shelter

Naga women and children sit at a temporary shelter for displaced Nagas from Manipur state, at Khuzama village, in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland on Friday, May 7 2010. Police fired tear gas and clashed on Thursday with hundreds of people trying to remove barricades put up by authorities to prevent Thuingaleng Muivah, the leader of the separatist National Socialist Council of Nagaland, from entering Manipur state in northeast India, officials said. Situation has been tense in the Manipur-Nagaland border area ever since. (AP)

"The blockade is not only creating problems for people in Manipur, it is also affecting Nagaland. Many hotels and shops on NH-39 have downed shutters after vehicles stopped plying. Nagas in Manipur are also bearing the brunt,’’ said a political observer in Kohima.

ANSAM economic blockade

People collecting ration, being distributed by the FCS department, as there is shortage of essential commodities due to economic blockade two National Highways by ANSAM, in Imphal on Tuesday, May 18, 2009. (PTI)

However, things might improve in the next few days, government sources said. The Naga Student Federation, one of the protesting groups, has softened its stand and decided to consider lifting the blockade in Nagaland after Manipur chief secretary D S Poonia wrote a letter to it expressing "regret" for the ‘‘inconvenience’’ caused to the federation’s team at Mao Gate on May 3.

National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM)

A female cadre of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) helps a colleague tie a belt to hold ammunition, at the central headquarters of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), at Hebron, on the outskirts of Dimapur, in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland, Wednesday, May 5, 2010. India is offering wide autonomy to the group though it has already rejected the rebels' demand for an independent homeland in northeastern India bordering Myanmar, where most of the 2 million Nagas live. (AP)

The NSF joined the protest from May 4 in protest against Manipur Police’s move to stop them from visiting Senapati district a day earlier.

Rally for petroleum in Manipur

People line up their vehicles at a petrol pump demanding fuel, in Imphal on Tuesday, May 25, 2009. Essential commodities, including petrol, in Manipur are in acute shortage due to the economic blockade on NH-39 and NH-53 by a Naga students' group. (PTI)

It is an irony that an elected government has to apologize to a students’ organization. Many feel such a concession was not healthy for a government. And the Centre, it seems, doesn’t mind such a trend.

Supporters of Muivah blocking NH-39

Supporters of Thuingaleng Muivah, General secretary NSCN(IM), blocking National Highway No. 39 with stones and burning firewoods in protest against Manipur government's decision of not allowing the leader to visit his home town Ukhrul, in Senapati on Friday, May 7, 2009. (PTI)
On Wednesday, Union home secretary G K Pillai indicated that Naga protesters will soon lift the blockade. The following day, the NSF said the ban on Manipur vehicles in Nagaland would soon be lifted in response to a letter written by the Manipur chief secretary and public appeal.

Economic blockade timeline: Manipur-Nagaland tussle

Residents waiting for their turn to collect rice rationed by the state government following the economic blockade on NH-39 by Naga groups, in Imphal on Tuesday, May 18, 2009. (PTI)

June 9: G K Pillai indicates blockade will be suspended.

June 10: NSF says considering lifting ban on Manipur vehicles in Nagaland.

Naga students at Manipur Bhavan

Police trying to pacify students and activists of Nagaland who tried to storm Manipur Bhavan after Manipur government denied entry of Thuingaleng Muivah, leader of NSCN (IM) into the state, in New Delhi on Thursday, May 6, 2009. (PTI)

June 5: Manipur chief secy D S Poonia ‘regrets' the ‘inconvenience' to NSF team at Mao Gate on May 3.

June 7: Manipur govt declares Ansam president David Choro and UNC president Samson Remei ‘‘wanted''.

June 8: All-Manipur Christian Organization visits Kohima for talks with Naga civil society groups to end blockade.

Protest at Mao

Fire men extinguish a police vehicle torched by protesters during a demonstration against deployment of security personnel to check the entry of NSCN-IM Secretary General Thuingaleng Muivah into Manipur, at Mao gate on Thursday, May 6, 2009. (PTI)

May 12: Pillai and Pandey fly to Kohima to meet Muivah. Talks deadlocked.

May 26: Phase I of ADC polls. A delegation of Naga Cong led by PCC boss Imkong in Imphal, talks with Ibobi.

June 2: Phase II of ADC polls held.

Candlelight service by Naga students, activists

Naga students and activists holding a candlelight service to show solidarity with NSCN (IM) leader Thuingaleng Muivah, who was barred from entering Manipur, at India Gate in New Delhi on Sunday, May 9, 2009. (PTI)

May 10: Manipur sports minister N Biren Singh says Muivah's homecoming will be considered if he drops agenda of Greater Nagaland. Govt to clear NH-53 Imphal-Silchar highway to ferry food and fuel. Manipuris start using NH-150 connecting Imphal to Mizoram.

May 11: Home secy G K Pillai and Centre's interlocutor for Naga peace talks R S Pandey reach Imphal to meet Ibobi. No solution.

Naga Students' Union Guwahati (NSUG) taking out a peace rally

Naga Students' Union Guwahati (NSUG) taking part in a rally to condemn killing of students during police firing at Manipur's Mao gate, in Guwahati on Saturday, May 8, 2009. Police fired on protesters who demonstrated against Manipur's ban on the entry of NSCN (IM) leader Thuingaleng Muivah into the state. (PTI)

May 6: Nagas in Manipur protest at Mao Gate opposing Ibobi govt's ban on Muivah. Police lob teargas shells, fire at protesters, two students killed. Ibobi meets FM in Delhi. Sticks to stand.

May 7: Muivah supporters join blockade.

Stranded trucks due to indefinite economic blockade

A view of the trucks stranded on NH 39 due to the indefinite economic blockade of All Naga Students Association Manipur at Mao in Senapati district of Manipur on Friday. (PTI)

May 4: NSF bans Manipur vehicles in Nagaland.

May 5: Guwahati HC asks Manipur police to arrest leaders of two tribal student bodies, which imposed economic blockade along NH. Muivah starts his journey to Manipur from Hebron on NH-39. Stops at Viswema village, short of Mao Gate.

Manipur police commandos detaining and questioning locals at Mao

Manipur police commandos detain and question locals after a rally against the Manipur state government's decision to prevent Thuingaleng Muivah, the leader of separatist National Socialist Council of Nagaland, from entering Manipur state in India's northeast, in Mao, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Kohima, capital of the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland, Thursday, May 6, 2010. Several people were injured in clashes with police near Manipur's land border with Nagaland state, said a Manipur state government spokesman. However, a spokesman for the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights, said at least two people were killed in police firing in the area. (AP)

May 2: Manipur deploys heavy security at Mao Gate on Nagaland's border, on NH-39.

May 3: Manipur cops stop Kohima-based Naga Students Fed from visiting Manipur's Senapati district. Six Manipur trucks in Nagaland set on fire.

Damaged cars outside Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi

Onlookers stand beside damaged cars outside the Manipur Bhavan (House) in New Delhi May 7, 2010. Hundreds of 'Naga Students Union Delhi' (NSUD) students on Friday protested outside the Manipur Bhavan against the government's refusal to allow T. Muivah, leader of Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) to visit his ancestral village state, according to local media. (REUTERS)
April 29: MHA asks Manipur and Nagaland govts to provide security to NSCN general secy T Muivah during his visit to his ancestral Somdal village in Manipur in May.

April 30: Manipur cabinet resolves to oppose Muivah.

Security personnel stand guard at Mao gate

Manipur security personnel stand guard as they block the highway bordering Manipur border at Mao, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Kohima, capital of the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland on Thursday, May 6, 2010. Police on Thursday fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of people who tried to remove barricades put up by authorities to prevent a Naga separatist leader from entering Manipur state in India's northeast, officials said. Ravi Hemadri, a spokesman for the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights, said at least two people were killed in police firing in the area. (AP)

April 11-12 midnight: All-Naga Students' Association (Ansam) begins economic blockade on the NH-39 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-53 (Imphal-Silchar) protesting against Okram Ibobi Singh govt's decision to hold the Autonomous District Council polls in tribal hill districts. Ansam argues ADC Act suppresses tribal rights. United Naga Council backs blockade.

Bibi Russell Weaves Success Story in Assam

By Ranjib Mazumder

Mumbai, Jun 14 : Former supermodel and fashion designer Bibi Russell has come to the rescue of the Bodo women in Assam. She has joined hands with them to create a new line of products which will merge high-end fashion with ethnic Bodo culture.

Bibi, who was born in Bangladesh, has worked with major labels like Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Karl Lagerfeld and Giorgio Armani.

A source from Assam says, “Bibi is on a 10-day tour of the state to inspect the working conditions of the women here.

The women working in the project are mainly survivors of human trafficking or have been socially ostracized because they have HIV. The hand-woven products would include garments and scarves made with traditional fabric but keeping in mind the international appeal.”

Bibi’s association with the project has received a warm welcome in the state and there is a genuine feeling of celebration among the women. “The effort is to develop the traditional skills of the women so that they can be independent financially.

With economic self-reliance and sustainable income, they can become confident members of the society,” the source ends.

Chidambaram Asks Naga Students' Federation Team to Lift Blockade in Manipur

By Iboyaima Laithangbam

— PHOTO: RITU RAJ KONWAR
TELL-TALE SIGNS:A deserted head post office in Imphal on Saturday.

Imphal, Jun 13 : Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has asked the delegates of the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) who called on him on Saturday to lift the blockade against Manipur it had imposed from May 3 since the people are put to untold suffering.

The All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) had started its own blockade from April 11. Since the Manipur government had tendered an apology regretting the obstruction of the NSF delegates from entering Manipur on May 3, the NSF is sympathetic to lifting the blockade.

On the other hand, there is a counter blockade against Nagaland from the Karbi Along district of Assam.

However, the Transporters and Drivers Council — the apex body of all drivers' and transporters' unions in Manipur — in a meeting decided not to ply along the inter-State highway 39 which passes through Nagaland unless the Centre and the Nagaland government give an assurance that the Nagaland police, officials and rebels shall not extort illegal taxes from Manipur vehicles plying between Khuzuma and Dimapur portion of the highway.

Talking to journalists, the leaders of the transporters and drivers said that for many years they had been plying or off the highway at the behest of the Nagaland rebels and some organisations who whimsically imposed blockades. They also said that the Nagaland police and several government officials had erected “checkposts” between Khuzuma and Dimapur to collect illegal taxes without issuing receipts. Some rebel groups have also been extorting various illegal taxes openly from the vehicles from Manipur such as road tax, goods tax and godown tax.

Looting and rapes

Besides there had been highway lootings every now. Passengers and drivers were beaten up and women molested and raped.

Several drivers had been beaten to death. There had not been a single instance of bringing the culprits to justice.

On the other hand, there were orchestrated suggestions from several organisations saying that the Manipur vehicles should abstain from plying along the highway 39. Though there are signs that the blockade may be lifted in view of the serious observation, the High Court has made it clear that there will be other blockades any time on many flimsy pretexts.

Manipur Works Minister K. Ranjit has rushed to the highway 53 soon after his return to Imphal to supervise the clearance of the highway. There were landslides at several places stranding the loaded trucks. It was also alleged that the debris was not cleared in time with the result that grass, tree sprout on the uncleared debris brought down from the mountains in the landslide. Mr. Ranjit had initiated steps to clear the debris along the highway.

During the meeting with Mr. Chidambaram, the NSF representatives were reported to have urged him to see to it that the order of proclaimed offender and non-bailable warrant of arrest issued against the United Naga Council and the ANSAM acting presidents were withdrawn.

Prices skyrocket

Meanwhile, prices of consumer goods had soared. One kg of potato is sold at Rs. 25 while the price per kg of rice is Rs. 30 and that of sugar Rs. 60.

Milk powder is not available in the market with the result that almost all families are having only black tea. All petrol pumps continue to

remain closed and one litre of petrol is sold at Rs. 150 and LPG cylinder at Rs. 2,000 on the black-market.

Indications are that in view of the strong objections from all sections of the people, the drivers may not ply their vehicles along highway 39 even if the blockade is lifted by the Naga bodies.

The Transporters and Drivers Council issued a stern warning to drivers and owners not to ply the vehicles along the highway.

‘Muivah's Visit Has Nothing to do With Nagalim Demand’

Aizawl, Jun 13 : The Naga Students Union, spearheading the blockade of Manipur since early April, Saturday claimed that NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah's visit to Somdal, his native village in Manipur's Ukhrul district, did not have any connection with the outfit's demand for 'Greater Nagalim'.

"We ask the government of India whether everybody has the right to visit his or her native village.

What is the law which prohibits Muivah from visiting his ancestral village?" A four-member NSF delegation led by its adviser Elu Nadang told reporters here today.

The Naga student leaders also alleged that while the media blamed them for the Manipur blockade, they should also know that the Manipur government had created 'obstacles' for the Nagas living in the state.

"The world should know that two Naga students were brutally gunned down by the Manipur Rifles," they said referring to the May 6 incident at the check gate at Mao on the Manipur-Nagaland border.

They said that normalcy should return and the two neighboring states of Nagaland and Manipur should find an amicable solution to the current impasse. 

The NSF leaders came here at the request of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the Mizo apex student body to mediate between the two student communities.

The MZP leaders said that they would try their best to broker understanding between the two student communities.

"We informed the Naga student leaders that their current blockade has created severe hardship for Mizos living in Manipur," a MZP leader said.

The blockade was to protest against elections to six autonomous district councils.

Hmar Customary Laws Reviewed

Churachandpur, Jun 13 : In view of various instances of the Northeast people being sexually abuses and problems coming elsewhere in north India metropolitans like New Delhi, and the urgent need of Hmar Customary Laws to incorporate at the Assam State Civil Services examinations questionnaires, the Hmar Youth Association, General Headquarter organized a seminar for all HYA sectoral units to review and amend the Hmar Customary Laws.

The two day seminar held at Sielmat, Churachandpur with resource persons from various fields discussed the various pros and cons of the Hmar Customary Laws to put up a proposal for amendment to the apex body.

According to the General President of the HYA Mr..L. Rohlun Joute, some of the major point discuss were; increment of the bride prize of a Hmar women by enhancing the value of a "Sekhat" to a certain amount.

The forefathers' "One sekhat" valued at Rs.40 was propose to be increase to Rs.200 so that the actual bride prize of the woman will be Rs.1,800 .

As such various related fines, awards, etc according to the customary practices are also propose to be enhance or raised.

Besides, in view of the modern customary trends changing, various proposal to deal with violation of social norms, extra-marital affairs, adoption and maintenance of a child are also discussed in dept during the two day seminar.

Mr. Rohlun Joute said that the Assam government has asked for a copy of the Hmar Customary Laws so that it maybe incorporate or include at the Assam State Civil Services examination questions, as such the HYA is convening a review of the existing Customary Laws so as to incorporate all related matters and so as to help the law enforcing agencies more effectively and a more peaceful society is being ensure.

The need for reviewing of the Customary Laws arise in view of the various instances of sexual abuses of tribal women in many parts of the world and the law need to deal with such situations – in line with the Indian Penal Code or the law of the land, he said.

The seminar findings of the various sectoral units shall be submitted to the General Headquarter and after thorough review, it shall be approved and implement, he added.

[ via Hueiyen News Service ]

Yes Bank Launches Operations in Northeast India

Guwahati, Jun 13 : Yes Bank, India’s new age private sector Bank, on Saturday formally inaugurated its North East India and West Bengal Banking operations by adding 15 Branches (10 Operational Branches and 5 Branches opening shortly), to further focus on the growing business and financial opportunities in this key region in our country.

The inauguration by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee from the flagship YES BANK Kolkata Branch at Camac Street, witnessed the presence of business leaders and industry experts from across this significant region. The Bank also announced its plans to launch 100 more branches across the country within the next one year.

YES BANK’s objective is to strengthen the financial infrastructure in the significant Northeast region & West Bengal, by establishing an extensive and robust framework of state-of-the-art branches providing comprehensive financial solutions, specifically catering to Large & Mid-Corporate, State Government entities, SMEs and Individual customers in this high-potential region.

The Bank aims to transform branches from mere transaction outlets to ‘Service Oriented Financial Centers’, thus shifting the focus from providing vanilla transactions to value added services.

YES BANK presently has a network of 150 branches in 124 city locations across India, with a growing presence in the Eastern and Northeast region. Y

Commenting on the future plans, Rana Kapoor, Founder/Managing Director & CEO, YES BANK said, “YES BANK will steadily enter into the Retail Banking segments, by offering a wide suite of competitive products including secured/unsecured business loans, working capital finance, Trade & CMS and complementary products including CV finance, secured personal loans, amongst others gradually, while augmenting the pan-India Branch presence.”

'Drunk' Principal Beats Students For Playing Football in Assam

Guwahati, Jun 13 : Barely a week after a class VI student in Assam’s Azara died after being allegedly caned by his two teachers, guardians of a government-run school in Lakhimpur on Saturday complained that seven students were beaten up by their headmaster who was reportedly drunk.

The incident took place at Gurudev Middle English School on Friday at Bordeori village, about 350 km from Guwahati.

According to school management committee president, Durna Kanta Deori, guardians complained that the students were beaten up by headmaster Kandeswar Miri Baruah for playing football during recess. Baruah was allegedly drunk.

‘‘We have received complaints that the headmaster chased the students and beat them up with a stick.

Seven students, mostly from class VI, were hurt and one of them was admitted to hospital,’’ he said. They, however, did not lodge any police complaint, he said.

Deori added that the seven students were absent on Saturday as their guardians complained that they had fallen ill. He said the school management committee received two complaints against the headmaster from guardians earlier and they informed the district education department about it.

‘‘We received several complaints that the headmaster comes to school in an inebriated state.

We will hold a public meeting on Sunday to decide the action to be taken against the headmaster,’’ Deori said. Baruah, however, was not available for comments.

Buddha Prasad Deori, an assistant teacher of the school, said the headmaster chased the students to their classroom and caned them.

Force Option For Manipur

By Nishit Dholabhai

Assam Rifles jawans on patrol.

New Delhi, Jun 13 : The Centre is considering using force against the protesters who have imposed an economic blockade on Manipur for the past two months.

The All Naga Students Association, Manipur, has blocked the state’s two supply lines, National Highways 39 and 53, since April 11 to express opposition to the autonomous district council elections. The Naga Students Federation has not been allowing any vehicle to enter Manipur from Nagaland since last month.

Delhi has been compelled to consider using force under pressure from civil society groups in Manipur.

“It (force) is one of the options,” a senior home ministry official said. Ministry sources said the decision to use force might be taken formally as early as Monday if no breakthrough was reached by then.

However, the sources said the government was still hoping the blockade would be called off. “Force is the last option and we hope the issue will be resolved amicably,” a source said.

Some Naga Students Federation leaders are now in Delhi, speaking to various political groups to explain their point of view. Apparently, they are also under pressure from the Nagaland government and the Naga Hoho to rethink their strategy.

The blockade had been intensified after NSCN(I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah was refused entry into Ukhrul, Manipur, in May.

Many accuse the Centre of blundering on the issue. While Delhi gave Muivah permission to visit his native village in Ukhrul, it failed to take the Manipur government into confidence. By the time it tried to sort things out, both sides had hardened their positions.