DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 22 (MExN): Union Home Minister, Rajanth Singh has written to Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Manipur states expressing concern at the “extremely distressing situation” caused by the continuous blockade of National Highway 2, which has caused acute shortage of essential and other goods in Manipur, and the “breakdown of law and order.” In his letter to the Manipur CM, the Home Minister lamented that the Manipur state government has “failed to keep the NH 2 open” despite the GoI’s “repeated requests and making available central forces to assist local forces. Reminding the CM that law and order falls under the state government, Singh said that the GoI can only assist the state government, in case such assistance is required and asked for. It added that the Ministry of Home Affairs has responded to the request for deployment of extra forces in Manipur by making 30 Coys available to the state government. He informed that when the state government moved two convoys along the NH 2 on December 2 and December 8, central forces assisted the movement of this convoy which enabled some essential supplies to reach Manipur. However, the Home Minister lamented that since then, there has been no initiative from the state government to either ensure that NH 2 is kept open or that at least movement of convoy is made. This, he stated despite the availability of central forces, and officers of the MHA being in constant touch with the state officials, including visit by the Special Secretary (Internal Security) on December 14 and 15. Singh also reminded that on December 19, a message was sent to the DG (Police) assuring the Manipur Government that the GoI is fully committed to support the state government in opening the national highway. This has been followed up by telephone calls, both by the SS (IS) and the concerned JS. However, the Home Minister stated that there has been no response or action by the state government. The Home Minister urged the Manipur CM to ensure the supply of commodities to Manipur through NH 2, “rationally using the assistance of central forces as necessary.” “Maintaining law and order and essential supplies are constitutional obligations of the state government,” he reminded. In a separate letter to the Nagaland State Chief Minister, the Union Home Minister apprised that due to the “blockage of NH2 by certain elements, movement of essential and other supplies to Manipur have been seriously and adversely affected, causing great distress to the people of Manipur.” The Government of India is trying to persuade the State Government to keep NH2 open, for which purpose Ministry of Home Affairs has provided additional forces to them, he added. Singh also expressed concern that the Naga Students’ Federation has called for blockade of vehicles even in the portion of NH2 which passes through Nagaland. The Home Minister asked the Nagaland CM to ensure that there is no disturbance of movement of vehicles going through Nagaland State, to enable supplies to pass safely through the State.
