Guwahati, May 20, 2010: Demanding the immediate re-opening of National Highway-39 in Manipur, the North East Peoples' Organisation (NEPO) has said that the people in Manipur are getting restive these days due to shortage of essential commodities.

The NEPO has warned that this difficult situation in Manipur can explode anytime with unforeseen problems.

Talking to media persons at Guwahati Press Club in this afternoon, NEPO president Dr N Mohilal demanded that the Central Government intervene immediately so that the blockade along NH-39 can be lifted and the highway opened.

Dr Mohilal also said that ever since the supply of essential commodities through NH-39 stopped, the availability of goods in Manipur has become very scarce and due to this reason the people are now frustrated and restive.

He said that the situation has the potential to snowball into something ugly which will be catastrophic.

Dr Mohilal also said that the supply through National Highway-53 is very slow since the condition of that highway is in deplorable shape.

He said that many suspension bridges along the NH-53 are very old and weak and because of that it is very difficult for the heavy vehicles to pass through.

Meanwhile, NEPO spokesman Montu Ahanthem blasted New Delhi for taking a unilateral decision to allow NSCN-IM leader Thuingaleng Muivah to visit his birth place in Somdal, Ukhrul district.

Montu Ahanthem said that the Government of India should have consulted and taken the confidence of the State Government of Manipur in this regard.

"The people of Manipur are now suspicious over Th Muivah's proposed visit to Manipur.

There is strong apprehension among the people that there is a hidden agenda of New Delhi and the NSCN-IM in connection with the visit," said Montu Ahanthem.

It is worth noting that the Nagas in Manipur under the aegis of UNC had rejected the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act of2008 saying that the present does not have the 'real' autonomy though the Constitution of India in its clause related to this Act has granted autonomy to all the District Councils for which it is rightly known as Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).

The Naga frontal organisations have been demanding to amend the Act first and then hold the elections.

However, the State Govt of Manipur had gone ahead with the electioneering process and it has been slated that the first phase of the polls will be held on May 26 while the second phase will be held on June 2.ANSAM has been imposing blockade on the two national highways since April 11 against the holding of elections to the District Councils under the present status.

It can also be mentioned that the state government of Manipur had taken a Cabinet decision to bar Th Muivah from entering Manipur.