Manipur agitators exempt life-saving drugs from blockade

IMPHAL: The Sadar Hills District-hood Demand Committee (SHDDC) and the United Naga Council (UNC) have exempted life-saving drugs from the purview the economic blockade and will allow their flow along the National Highways. The state cabinet, meanwhile, has decided to hold dialogues with both parties. In its demand that Sadar Hills in Senapati be made a full-fledged revenue district, the SHDDC has been imposing an economic blockade on NH 39 and NH 53 since July 1. An indefinite general strike is also currently on in Sadar Hills. The UNC has also imposed an indefinite total bandh on all highways, including NH 150, since Sunday morning in protest against the state government's attempt to bifurcate the 'Naga areas' to create new districts. Though the UNC has not released any statement on free flow of life-saving drugs, its caretaker informed this reporter that the same may be transported along the highways provided the transporters take prior permission from the UNC and carry all necessary documents. The mounting agitation from both sides has already triggered a commodity crisis as stock of foodstuff and fuel in the state. Responding to fervent appeals from civil, religious and humanitarian bodies including the Red Cross Society (RCS), life-saving drugs including oxygen may be ferried only by RCS ambulances and other ambulances, said an SHDDC statement. Meanwhile, the state cabinet has decided to hold dialogues with both the agitating parties. The cabinet met at the CM's office on Tuesday night and resolved to constitute a committee on 'Reorganization of Administration and Police District Boundary' to maintain law and order.