Essentials airlifted to Manipur, minister blames CM for food crisis

GUWAHATI/IMPHAL - The Manipur government Monday airlifted 10 tonnes of rice into Imphal with the state continuing to reel under an acute food crisis following an indefinite economic blockade enforced by various Naga tribal groups for the past 35 days.

“As per Manipur government’s request, we sent 10 tonnes of rice,” M. Gogoi, general manager of the Food Corporation of India, told IANS in Guwahati.

The essentials were flown into Manipur capital Imphal by two Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft from the Borjhar airbase in Guwahati.

Food apart, life saving drugs and other medicines would be airlifted from Assam in the next two days.

Manipur is facing its worst crisis of food, fuel and medicines due to prolonged economic blockade since April 11 by various Naga tribal groups — first the two highways connecting Manipur to the rest of India were blocked in protest against the state government’s decision to hold Autonomous District Council elections in Naga- inhabited area.

The situation has worsened since May 6 due to subsequent blockade on the two highways by various Naga bodies over the Manipur government’s refusal to allow Naga separatist leader Thuingaleng Muivah to visit his native Somdal village in Ukhrul district.

Hundreds of trucks carrying essentials and medicines were stranded in the adjoining state of Nagaland with protesters laying seige on both the National Highways 39 and 53 — the main lifeline to Manipur. Several hospitals have stopped routine surgeries due to scarcity of oxygen cylinders.

Landlocked Manipur depends on supplies from outside the region with trucks from the rest of India carrying essentials having to pass through Nagaland.

The Manipur government has, meanwhile, decided to bring essential commodities from Silchar in Assam via Mizoram through inter-State Highway 150, covering a distance of over 700 km.

“The road condition is very bad and hence difficulties in getting the supplies into Manipur,” Manipur consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister Y. Erabot said.

Meanwhile, fuel continues to be the most scarce commodity with a litre of petrol selling as high as Rs.220, while a cooking gas cylinder was sold at anything between Rs.1,500 and Rs.1,700.

“Such is the situation that even if you are ready to pay any price you would not find the thing you want,” said Babloo Lointongbam, a well-known rights leader.

Minister Erabot blamed Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh for failing to defuse the crisis.

“Despite repeated requests, the home department (held by the chief minister) failed to depute security personnel to escort trucks carrying essentials,” Erabot said.

“Transportation of goods in cargo airplanes can never meet the minimum requirements of the people. It would be impossible to ferry goods like oxygen canisters and petroleum products by cargo planes,” the minister told journalists.