File photo of the protests on August 30
Manipur is reeling under an economic blockade, enforced by a Naga body to protest the death of two of its members who were allegedly killed in police firing late last month.
The supply of essential commodities is badly affected as the two National Highways in Manipur have been closed because of the blockade.
The Assam Rifles, which has been patrolling the area to maintain law and order, is escorting around 300 trucks to Jiribam town, on the Assam border, to bring back supplies to capital Imphal.
The United Naga Council, which has enforced the blockade, has meanwhile refused to relent and is demanding that President's Rule should be imposed in Manipur.
"The government of Manipur has not failed. In the last week, we have been reviewing the situation and we felt that a 12-hour relaxation in Section 144 can be done. If this move works, we will relax it further. This group has told us they will only negotiate with the Centre so we have apprised them about the entire situation," Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said on Saturday.
The two members of the council, who were killed, were part of a protest rally in Ukhrul on August 30, which defied a Section 144 order that prevents the assembly of four or more people. The protesters were demanding that the Centre expedite an "acceptable and honorable settlement" of the Indo-Naga issue. They also accused the Manipur government of bias against the Nagas.
The United Naga Council claims the Manipur police commandos and jawans of the India Reserve Battalion fired on the protesters - who they claimed were unarmed - indiscriminately.
The police, however, claims that they initially used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators but resorted to firing when they heard gunshots.