Imphal, July 19: Even as about 230 empty trucks left Imphal on the Imphal-Jiri line on NH-53 to transport goods, under the new mantra of the Government to find a second lifeline for the State, the All Naga Students' Association today said that it is ready to hand out yet another defeat to the Government on NH-53 too.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, spokesman of ANSAM, Ngachonmi Chamroy said that it is a moral victory for the student body that the SPF Government has been forced to open NH-53 to neutralise the economic blockade on NH-39.Without mincing words, the spokesman of the student body said, �If Chief Minister O Ibobi is under the impression that he can open NH-53 with the use of force, we will hand him another defeat on the same route�.

Making the stand of the student body clear, Chamroy said, �We are prepared to intensify our movement on NH-53, if the Government uses force to violate the economic blockade�.

The student leader further said that it is a moral victory for the non-cooperation movement launched by ANSAM, that the Govt is today forced to look out for an alternative route.

Reiterating the stand of ANSAM, the spokesman said that the economic blockade is not against any community but against the decision of the State Government to accord official status on June 18 by declaring it a State holiday as well as State Integrity day.

ANSAM also strongly condemned the harassment meted out to journalists of Nagaland, including the president of the Nagaland Press Club, H Chisi by Manipur police commandos at Mao Gate yesterday at about 2 pm.

The journalists from Nagaland had come to Mao Gate to cover a story on the economic blockade, informed Chamroy.

Meanwhile in line with the policy adopted by the State Government to open NH-53 and provide a second life line to the people of Manipur, about 230 empty trucks left Imphal for Jiribam today to fetch goods and essential items.

The 230 empty trucks were provided security by a combined force of Manipur Rifles, IRB and State police commandos.

The empty trucks left Imphal at about 6.10 am today from Kangla where they have been assembled for the last three/four days.

The escort commander is the CO of 2nd IRB.

According to information received this evening, the trucks crossed Nungba in Tamenglong district at about 1 pm today.