Economic blockade in Manipur: Centre apprehensive of peaceful polls

NEW DELHI: The central government is not confident that current economic blockade by a Naga group in Manipur will allow peaceful elections in the state, for which dates have already been announced by the election commission.

With blockade persisting, the ministry of home affairs is learnt to have expressed in its previous meetings that holding elections at this juncture would not be conducive, said top sources. However, MHA officials said that they will provide adequate central paramilitary forces for conducting the elections.

The north block officials also denied any possibilities of re-negotiating with the Naga group, which is spearheading the blockade for past three months, after no breakthrough was achieved in two rounds of meetings with the stakeholders to resolve the crisis.

The National Highway number 2 (NH 2) is blocked in Manipur since November 1 by United Naga Council (

UNC

) cadres which has affected normal life.

A senior officer said that it would pose difficulties for poll officials to reach on duty during elections if the situation persists and there are no signs of ending the blockade yet. “However, we cannot interfere in the matter as law and order is the state government’s subject and election commission has to see the election process. We will follow the orders of EC,” said the MHA officer.

A team of MHA officials recently visited the state to assess the security situation.

About 176 companies (about 17,600 personnel) of central paramilitary forces are already posted in Manipur, and more number of such policemen can also be provided, sources said. There is a plan to send 200 more companies (about 20,000 personnel) of the central paramilitary forces there, sources said.

Polling for the 60-member Manipur Assembly is scheduled to be held in two phases next month - March 4 and 8.

MHA officials have conducted two meetings - on February 3 and 7 - with the representatives of UNC and Manipur government to end the crisis.

In the first round of discussions held in Delhi, the centre had expressed hope that the blockade would end soon. However, the last round of talks failed.

Though the next round of talks is scheduled to be held on March 25, it is unlikely that it would result into ending the blockade, added the officer.

The Council is protesting against creation of seven new districts in the state and its cadres have blocked the NH 2. Due to the blockade, normal life in Manipur has been badly affected and prices of essential commodities have sky rocketed.