Naga Students Federation imposes 'total blockade' of Manipur-bound vehicles

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The Naga Students Federation (NSF) has decided to impose a "total blockade" on all Manipur-bound vehicles, including passenger and goods carriers, in all Naga-inhabited areas till the Manipur government gives its assurance to Naga people about their safety and security in the state.

Many Naga travellers in Manipur were assaulted, their vehicles set on fire and luggage damaged on the highways in the past few days, NSF president Subenthung Kithan alleged today.

A mob had vandalised 22 vehicles on the Imphal-Ukhrul Road on 18 December.

It was because of this, Kithan said, the decision to impose a total blockage on Manipur vehicles, including passenger and good carriers, was taken.

The NSF chief also cautioned that anybody travelling from Naga-inhabited areas to Manipur would be doing so at his or her own risk.

Kithan, however, said NSF would exempt students travelling back to Manipur from their vacations.

The United Naga Council (UNC) has imposed an indefinite economic blockade on the National Highways of Manipur since 1 November, hampering the supply of essential items.

The UNC has been agitating against the Manipur government's decision to create Sadar Hills and Jiribam into full fledged districts, claiming it will bifurcate the ancestral lands of Nagas in the state.

-PTI