Imphal, August 21: Chief Minister O Ibobi who was in Delhi for the last few days to apprise the Central leaders of the situation arising out of the economic blockade imposed by ANSAM returned to Imphal today after meeting the Prime Minister, AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and the Union Home Minister.

During an exclusive chat with The Sangai Express at his official bungalow today evening, the Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister advised the State Government to resolve the matter at the soonest possible.

"The Prime Minister told me that since the blockade involves an issue which is a State subject the Centre has no business to interfere.

His advice was to resolve the matter soon in the interest of the people," said the Chief Minister.

The Prime Minister also indicated that he may visit Manipur in October this year, informed the Chief Minister and added that since it was the Prime Minister himself who handed over Kangla to the people Manipur and laid the foundation stone of the capitol complex, he wants to come here and review the work progress of the capitol project as well as the beautification drive at Kangla.

On the development of NH-53, the Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister assured to release all the required funds, once the State Government submits the relevant proposal.

�The Prime Minister assured that fund will not be a problem," added Ibobi.

"I was also assured that the Government of Nagaland will be advised by New Delhi to provide adequate protection to the trucks bound for Imphal on the NH-39 stretch that passes through the State," said the Chief Minister further.

On his meeting with AICC president Sonia Gandhi; the Chief Minister said he gave a detailed report on the June 18 declaration and explained that this date has been observed as a State holiday from 2002.