Imphal: As Manipur's highway blockade enters its 46th day, the standoff continues. The state government is unable to break the deadlock in its hills, and is firm on its opposition to allow Naga underground leader to enter the state. The Centre is failing to convince Muivah to change his mind on visiting his village in Manipur.
Manipur's Chief Minister Ibobi Singh and NSCN(IM) chief Th Muivah have both scored political points. But the real problem remains unaddressed. It perhaps requires the Chief Minister to just reach out to the people, go there himself or send one of his ministers. That hasn't happened yet.
"We thought that if a cabinet minister or chief minister went, another unwanted scene could have happened which we wanted to avoid," said N Biren, Congress Spokesperson and Cabinet Minister.
Meanwhile, both the highways are still under siege. A convoy of three hundred trucks was brought in by police escort and some essential items were airlifted, but the supply so far is grossly inadequate.
The economic loss due to the blockade is gone into several crores, and no solution seems to be in sight.