Newmai News Network Imphal | December 2 Over 200 goods-laden stranded trucks safely reached Imphal from Mao Gate of Senapati district after facing nearly one month of halting due to the ongoing economic blockade call given by the United Naga Council (UNC). A heavy security team led by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of Manipur Police C Doungel, IGP (Zone I) Clay Khongsai and IGP (Zone II) L Kailun from Imphal headed for Mao Gate around 8 pm yesterday to escort and bring back the stranded goods vehicles. Other state top police officials, including DIGs and Superintendents of Police, and personnel from Manipur Rifles, IRB and Central Paramilitary Forces made up the strong security team. Taking serious note of the current situation arising out of the protracted blockade on highways, the High Court of Manipur yesterday directed the Manipur government to secure Imphal-Jiribam highway and Imphal-Dimapur highway by deploying adequate security personnel within five days to ensure safe passage of vehicles. Intensified blockade made it impossible for further movement of the Imphal-bound trucks, returning from Assam after loading consumer items including petroleum products, without security personnel to escort them. Sources said the vehicles did not face any unwanted incident on the way and that they reached the state capital safely. Three days ago, some 500 loaded-trucks escorted by a large number of security personnel were attacked and damaged by UNC volunteers on NH-37 in Noney area of Tamenglong district. UNC started the blockade from November 1 after taking a stand against the state government’s move to grant district status to Sadar Hills and Jiribam subdivision. UNC is also not happy with the Manipur government over the arrest of its president Gaidon Kamei and information and publicity secretary Sankhui Stephen on charges of spearheading the blockade on November 25.
