To Keep Northeast Lifelines Open, Delhi Plans to Deploy 2000 Men Permanently

By Raghvendra Rao

New Delhi, Jun 17 : Learning from the 65-day old economic blockade of two National Highways which has crippled Manipur, the Centre is planning to permanently deploy nearly 2,000 paramilitary personnel along NH 39 and NH 53 to ensure these key arteries remain open through the year.

“Two Central paramilitary battalions will be deployed as a National Highway Protection Force on these national highways,” said an official in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Manipur had sought “permanent security” on both NH 39 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 53 (Imphal-Silchar). “We have asked the Centre to provide permanent security by deploying forces on both the national highways,” Manipur minister and spokesperson N Biren Singh told The Indian Express.

Union Home Secretary G K Pillai met Manipur Chief Secretary D S Poonia and Nagaland Additional Chief Secretaries A Jamir and Toshi Aier today to discuss matters relating to movement of vehicles through both highways.

“While the blockade has been lifted in Nagaland territory, it is still in place in Manipur. We have asked the Nagaland government to try and persuade the All Naga Students Association of Manipur to lift the blockade,” said an official of the MHA.