Question : BLOCKADE OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

(a) whether there are reports of blockade of National Highways in the State of Manipur recently;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a) to (c): The Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC, a civil body formed at the behest of the KNO), launched (1700 hrs. November 17, 2012) an indefinite economic blockade on all National and State Highways passing through Kuki inhabited areas of the State in its bid to bring its demand for separate Kuki State to the centre stage. This blockade impacted movement of vehicles passing through Imphal-Ukhrul Road (NH-202), Imphal –Tamenglong Road, Imphal-Moreh (NH-102) and Imphal-Chandel Road, Imphal-Senapati Road and Imphal-Churachandpur Road. Inter District/Inter State passenger services as well as movement of goods vehicles remained suspended, though movement of empty goods trucks took place on NH-37 under security escort. KSDC volunteers enforced the blockade temporarily from November 23, 2012. Again, it announced (December 11) a similar blockade from December 14 to disrupt the ASEAN Car Rally which was scheduled to enter India through Moreh, district Chandel on December 15, 2012. However, the blockade was withdrawn on December 13, 2012 following indication by the GoI to depute an officer from MHA to Imphal, after the winter session of Parliament, for discussion. Again, KSDC announced indefinite bandh, demanding immediate initiation of the political dialogue over the issue for demand for separate State for Kukis (Quit Kuki Land) in the Kuki dominated areas from January 24, 2013 which affected the movement of vehicles along all the National Highways in the State. Besides, the KSDC volunteers partially damaged 14 vehicles in Churachandpur district for defying their call of ‘public curfew’ in the kuki dominated areas, on the Republic Day. Following the assurance from Manipur Government, it decided to temporarily suspend the indefinite blockade w.e.f. January 28, 2012 at1930 hrs. The KSDC once again announced indefinite public blockade in all Kuki areas of Manipur w.e.f. February 24, 2013 but later decided to suspend the blockade w.e.f. February 28, 2013 in view of the ongoing HSLC and HSSLC examinations