Imphal: Representatives of the Tamil Sangam, Gorkha Sena and Manipuri Muslim Council on Tuesday met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and sought urgent intervention to address shortages of medicines, healthcare services and essential commodities in the border town of Moreh.
The delegation submitted a memorandum at Raj Bhavan, stating that prolonged economic blockades have disrupted the supply of essential goods, leading to shortages of medicines, a lack of medical professionals and a sharp rise in prices in the town along the Indo-Myanmar border.
According to the memorandum, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated as supply lines remain affected by competing blockades imposed by different groups.
An indefinite economic blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC), with support from the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), has disrupted supplies to Kuki-Zo-dominated areas following the abduction and killing of six Naga civilians.
Kuki civil society groups subsequently launched counter-blockades along National Highway 2, affecting supplies to Naga and Meitei areas. The Foothills Naga Coordinating Committee (FNCC) has also restricted the movement of Kuki-Zo people between Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, further affecting transportation.
The delegation said the prolonged blockades and curfews have resulted in acute shortages of food and medicines, stranded students and the closure of school hostels in the affected areas.
The memorandum comes as the state and central governments continue efforts to restore normalcy. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has held talks with the UNC over lifting the blockade, while Kuki-Zo apex bodies have separately met officials of the Union Home Ministry and the Intelligence Bureau in New Delhi seeking protection and relief.