Ibobi Singh

Imphal, June 30: Confronted with another major crisis immediately on his return from a trip to New Delhi, Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh wasted no time in sending feelers for negotiations with the Naga student organisation that has imposed an economic blockade on the state?s national highways.

The blockade entered the 11th day today, resulting in an increase in the prices of essential commodities. A delegation of the Manipur Truck Drivers? Welfare Association today rushed to Nagaland in response to an SOS from truckers stranded in different parts of the neighbouring state. The delegation took along a medical team to help the stranded drivers, some of whom had reportedly taken ill because of lack of sleep and proper food over the past 10 days.

Another group of drivers, numbering about 40, arrived in Imphal last evening, leaving their goods-laden trucks at Khujuma, not far from Mao Gate on the Manipur-Nagaland border. The truckers fled the area on being told to leave with their vehicles.

The All Naga Students Association, Manipur, launched the blockade after the Ibobi government declared June 18 as ?state integrity day? to commemorate the 2001 uprising against Delhi?s attempt to extend the ceasefire with the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) beyond Nagaland. The Naga community perceived it as a challenge to their movement for the integration of all Naga-inhabited areas of the Northeast.

Confirming that he had sent feelers to the student organisation for talks, Ibobi said: ?The government is hoping for an amicable solution through talks with the students.? The chief minister had written to the Naga student leadership on June 22, inviting them to the negotiation table. The organisation, however, rebuffed the conciliatory move.

Appealing to residents of Manipur and truckers stranded on the border not to panic, Ibobi said he had contacted his Nagaland and Assam counterparts and discussed ways to end the crisis.

In another development, the chief minister clarified in the Assembly that Delhi had no plan to constitute a boundary commission to ?examine? Naga-inhabited areas of the Northeast. Reports to the contrary in a section of the media had triggered tension in Manipur last month.

The issue was raised by two members of the Manipur People?s Party. Citing the media reports, O. Joy Singh and Nimaichand Luwang said Delhi could put Manipur?s future on the line to resolve the Naga issue.

Allaying their apprehensions, Ibobi said: ?I spoke to the Prime Minister, the home minister and Oscar Fernandes, leader of the ministerial team holding talks with the NSCN (I-M), about the reports over the phone as well as when I met them in New Delhi. They dismissed the reports as baseless and said there was no such move.?