Imphal, Feb. 7: The United Naga Council (UNC) has decided to continue its economic blockade, which entered its 99th day today, dashing hopes of resumption of supply of essential commodities.

"We have decided to continue the blockade," S. Milan, general secretary of the UNC, told The Telegraph over phone from Senapati district today.

The decision was taken today at the UNC's "presidential council", which held discussions on the tripartite talks held in Delhi on Friday and on their next course of action. All Naga organisations attended the meeting.

"The presidential council reiterates rejection of the creation of seven new districts and resolves to continue to fight against the insidious design of grabbing our land on the pretext of administrative convenience till the order (for creation of districts) is withdrawn," the meeting resolved.

As the blockade was not lifted, UNC president Gaidon Kamei and information secretary Stephen Sankhil were not released from jail as expected.

The Delhi talks had raised hopes of an end to the blockade and release of the two UNC leaders. The state government and Union home ministry officials, who attended the tripartite talks, had said the talks were positive and that there was an understanding on lifting the blockade and release of the UNC leaders.

Manipur additional chief secretary Suresh Babu and commissioner (works) K. Radhakumar Singh represented the state government. The UNC delegation was headed by Gaidon as Manipur High Court had allowed Gaidon and Sankhil, who were in jail, to attend the meeting. Joint secretary home Satyendra Garg presided over the meeting.

During the Delhi meeting, the UNC delegation had reportedly hinted that the blockade would be lifted after holding consultations with other Naga organisations and leaders who were working with it. Till this morning, people in the state were hopeful that the blockade would end.

Gaidon and Sankhil were today brought to the court of Imphal East chief judicial magistrate A. Noutuneshori at 2pm. At that time, the consultation of the UNC and other Naga organisations was in progress. The judge called the duo to her chamber and held the hearing in camera for about 10 minutes. The court sent the duo to judicial custody for 15 days.

While coming out of the court, Gaidon told reporters: "I cannot say anything (on lifting of the blockade). Our friends are holding a meeting. Let us see what comes up."

During the UNC consultation, a majority of the participants reportedly opposed the idea of lifting the blockade as it was enforced to protest creation of new districts without consulting the Nagas. The UNC is now demanding a rollback of the districts created in December last year.