Newmai News Network Imphal | January 19 Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured Joint Forum for Peace (JFP) to help resolved the Manipur impasse. A 17-member team of the forum, a conglomerate of United Committee Manipur, All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation and Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak—today met Rajnath in New Delhi over the economic blockade issue. During the meeting the Union Home Minister told the team led by the forum president Elangbam Johnson that the Centre has been making all-out effort to help end the economic blockade which has already caused enormous sufferings to the people of Manipur, the JFP claimed. The Manipur’s social organization team also submitted a detailed report to Rajnath on how the blockade has "negatively influenced different communities of the state fostering communal feeling among them". It further urged upon the Home Minister not to allow both the state and central governments to draw political mileage from the present Manipur crisis that has "caused immense hardships to the people". UNC launched the indefinite blockade on both NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur route) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam route) over the district creation issue. The Naga body has resisted the move of the Manipur government on creating new districts saying Naga areas cannot be curbed out in the process. Rajnath also reportedly told the team during the meeting the Centre has taken up steps to help removed the blockade soon and that adequate paramilitary personnel have been sent in to reopen the road blockade and ensure regular transportation of goods to Manipur from other states. Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh also met Rajnath Singh in New Delhi over the blockade issue yesterday during which the later made it clear that if the Manipur government fails in its Constitutional duties, the Centre may have to explore other measures under the provisions of the Constitution to ensure that difficulties of people of Manipur are alleviated. The state government has already invited the agitating UNC's leadership to a tripartite talk to be held on January 23 in Imphal. The Government of India will depute its representative in the proposed meeting. The Manipur government hopes that some kind of settlement may be reached with the Naga body in the tripartite talk. UNC, however, has been demanding that their leaders now in police custody should be released first before any meeting takes place over the impasse and that the venue for such a talk should take place in Senapati district or a Naga-dominated district or in New Delhi.
