By IANS,
New Delhi : A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation led by party president Nitin Gadkari met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Friday on the continuing economic blockade in Manipur.
The delgation, which also included Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, along with BJP leaders from Manipur, demanded imposing president’s rule in the northeastern state.
“Prices of essential commodities have sky-rocketed, petrol and diesel are being sold at arbitrary prices, potatoes and vegetable prices are so high that even the rich cannot afford them,” Swaraj said.
“So we have demanded that first of all, dismiss the government there and impose president’s rule in the state,” she said.
The party also demanded compensation be given to affected families in Manipur and essential supplies be sent to the state through an “alternate route”.
The main opposition party also wanted an all-party delegation to be sent to the state.
“The prime minister said he is aware of the situation and will think about sending an all-party delegation. He will talk to the home ministry and then inform us. He liked our suggestion. He also said he is in constant touch with Manipur but no solution is in sight at the moment. He was receptive to our suggestions and the talks were cordial,” Swaraj added.
Friday was the 89th day of the blockade.
The Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) began an indefinite road blockade on the two crucial national highways that link the northeastern state with the rest of the country.
They are demanding that the Sadar Hills sub-division in the Naga-dominated Senapati district in northern Manipur be upgraded as a full-fledged district.
The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex forum of Nagas in Manipur, has also been organising a counter-road blockade in all Naga-inhabited areas in northern Manipur, demanding that these areas should not be carved out without their consent.