Life in Manipur badly hit by two-month blockade

For almost two months now Manipur remains cut off from the rest of the country due to twin blockades on the national highways by two organisations. Situation is tense as prices of essential goods have reached sky high. Students, women bodies and other organisations were on a war path with large number of people coming out in the streets to check the godowns of the wholesalers. Since July 31 there has been complete stoppage of movement of vehicles on the national highways. Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) launched strike from July 31 demanding district status for Sadar Hills. The Manipur People s Party, President, Dr Nimaichand Luwang today said his party has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene into the matter. He said there is an abnormal and uncontrollable price-hike of all commodities with each passing day in this state. It is unbelievable that the price of onion soared up to Rs 100 per kg, while potato sold at Rs 55 per kg. The price of a gas cylinder is Rs 1500 and petrol is sold at Rs 130 per litre. The most shocking news that gave a big blow to the people of Manipur was that of the torching of the trucks carrying life-saving drugs and medical items along the National Highway No 2 by the blockade supporters, he said. Medicines worth about Rs 4 cr were burnt in that incident. This has greatly affected the working in the hospitals, medical and health-care centres and also private patients, he added. The blockade has also given great inconveniences to the school going and college going students, farmers, patients and public.