Imphal, May 13 2010: In the ongoing effort to find an alternative route to bring in essential commodities to Manipur, following the economic blockade imposed by ANSAM as well as unrest in Senapati district over the proposed visit of Th Muivah, the State Govt has decided to approach the Mizoram Govt to extend their help in escorting goods trucks through Guite road, which is NH-150, to Imphal via Churachandpur.

This was mooted during a high level security meeting convened by the Chief Minister today at 7.30 am.

Assistance from the Government of Meghalaya has also been sought by the State Government.

With the State Government highlighting the acute shortage of essential commodities to the Union Home Ministry, the Centre has also reportedly written to the Mizoram Government to extend all possible help in the transportation of goods.

Following this new development, Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing meeting with the transporters, vehicle owners, drivers, representative of gas agencies and those associated with oil tankers and passenger services today morning.

Occurrence of landslide at Sibilong and agitation along the National Highway 53 have been cited as the reasons for the change in the route for lifting essential commodities from outside Manipur.

Considering the instruction of the DGP, the transporters also agreed to start their services along Guite Road from tomorrow provided adequate security escorts are ensured for all the vehicles including those stranded goods laden trucks at Silchar.

The vehicles have to pass through Aizawl for coming to Imphal along Guite Road.

From the side of the Government, it was assured that even without security escorts the vehicles would be safer travelling along Guite Road just by alerting the existing security posts along the route.

It is also learnt that Kuki UG groups which are signatories of Suspension of Operation (SoO) have assured assistance in ensuring safe passage of the vehicles inside Churachandpur district.

When contacted in connection with the plan of lifting essential goods through Guite Road, DGP Yumnam Joykumar explained that the step has been taken up by the State Government to avoid unwanted consequences that may aggravate the volatile law and order situation in the State.

To ensure safe passage of the vehicles along Guite Road, Joykumar informed that his Mizoram counterpart had been requested for assistance.

Consequently, DGP of Mizoram has already given instruction to two of his sub-ordinate SPs to do the needful.

Over and above directing Kuki outfit ZRA, which is a signatories of SoO with the Government of India and Government of Manipur, for ensuring smooth passage of the vehicles along the hilly road, security would also be deployed at every strategic locations, the DGP assured.

Informing that transportation of goods through Mizoram may take a little longer, the DGP disclosed that some of the goods laden trucks that were stranded at Jiribam have started moving from Mizoram side today.