Imphal, February 16, 2010: Economic blockade imposed by the Senapati District Students� Association (SDSA) along NH-39 demanding proper development of the highway, among others, would be called off with effect from February 16 midnight.

On the other hand, SDSA president A Pfokrehrii Khrasi and another person arrested by police in connection with torching a fish-laden truck at Karong yesterday have been freed today.

Following the arrest of the two SDSA activists in connection with the arson, the student body imposed total bandh on the highway since early this morning.

Intensifying their agitation, the SDSA did not allow movement of any kind of vehicle on the highway.

They attacked vehicles attempting to violate the bandh imposed all of a sudden.

As the situation became restive with tension building up, Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii, MLA K Raina, MLA Thorii and IG (L/O-III) V Zathang came forward for negotiation to which the SDSA responded positively.

The two sides met at NPO office at Senapati district headquarters today in the presence of representatives of the NPO, Senapati town committee and SDWA.

The State Government represented by the TD Minister and the two MLAs and the student body came to an understanding on two points.

Subsequently a memorandum of understanding was signed.

Following the agreement, the student body agreed to call off the indefinite economic blockade as well as the total bandh imposed since this morning with effect from February 16 midnight.

The two points of the MoU include completion of the ongoing premix carpeting work on Maram-Senapati section of NH 39 to the satisfaction of the general public at the earliest and utilisation of the sanctioned amount of Rs 55 crores for improvement of Taphou-Maram section of NH 39 at the earliest.

Because of the impromptu bandh imposed since early morning today, there was no vehicular movement on the highway as both Mao Bazar and Senapati Bazar remained shut.

Inter-State passenger transport were also delayed beyond Mao Gate.

However, the bandh did not produce any noticeable effect at Kangpokpi Bazar where the market functioned as usual and transport service from and to Imphal and Kangpokpi sub-division going on uninterrupted.

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