Pillai says govt running out of patience with blockade

SHILLONG, JUN 4 (PTI):
 In a strong message, the government today said its patience was running out and the organisations enforcing the indefinite highway blockade in Manipur will be dealt with firmly.
"The government's patience is running out. We have to come down with a hard hand on those who are doing this blockade," Union Home Secretary G K Pillai told reporters here. He said the "consequence of the action will be on these organisations". On April 12, the All-Naga Students' Association of Manipur (ANSAM) had begun the blockade to oppose Manipur's decision to hold Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections in tribal-dominated hill districts.
It claimed that the ADC Act "suppresses tribal rights". Later, Nagas intensified the blockade after Manipur did not allow NSCN (I-M) 'general secretary' Thuingaleng Muivah to visit his native village of Somdal in state's Ukhrul district. Following this, all communities -- Meiteis, Kukis, Paites and Nagas -- started facing a shortage of essential commodities. The blockade, which began 50 days ago, has caused immense hardship to the people of Manipur with essential commodities, lifesaving drugs and fuel becoming scarce.
"I think the organisations should call it (blockade) off. This blockade is totally illegal which has to stop," Pillai said. He said the Centre has made an appeal to the chief ministers of Nagaland and Manipur to talk with the groups and ensure that the blockade is removed at the earliest.


Manipur trucks stoned at 5th Mile
DIMAPUR, Jun 4 (NPN):

One of the damaged trucks at 5th mile area Dimapur, Friday. (NP)

  A Manipur registration truck(MN01-7367) was partially burnt when a group of volunteers attacked all Manipur registration trucks with catapults and stones while attempting to set one on fire at 5th Mile area Friday evening.
The trucks were moving along with security forces convoy escorted by units of Assam Rifles from Manipur .The security at Nagaland was supposed to have been taken over by the 16 Assam Rifles while the ROP was also entrusted to the Assam Rifles .
It was reported that the volunteers that also included some women, stopped the trucks even as the convoy was supposed to have been escorted by the Assam Rifles.
According to well placed sources, the convoy was a combination of various units of Assam Rifles from Manipur, whose security was entrusted to the Kohima-based 16 Assam Rifles. It may also be added that an ROP consisting of AR personnel was stationed along the highway.
Later briefing media persons at the Dipuphar police station, SDPO Dimapur Shouka and Dy SP (R) Israel Xuivi, said the trucks were first attacked with catapults from one side of the highway. Another group of volunteers including women, stopped the trucks setting one of them(MN01-7367) on fire while pelting stones at the other trucks-MN05-1760,NL01 A-8168 and mini truck MN04A-4350. Police arrived and doused the fire on the truck though the rood only was burned.
According to SDPO Dimapur, the civilian trucks were not stopped at the check gate as it was presumed they were part of the security convoy. However, he said it was too early to draw conclusions as investigations were on.
Eyewitnesses also disclosed that a person was picked up by security forces after the incident but relatives were not sure whether it was those in the convoy or another army convoy that also passed through. Meanwhile, one of the drivers whose truck was also attacked informed that a group of youth volunteers including women, numbering around 30-35, stopped the civilian trucks of the convoy and started pelting stones at the wind shields. All the damaged trucks were taken to Diphupar Police station.