Naga students in Manipur suspend blockade

Kohima, June 19 (PTI) Naga students in Manipur today suspended their over two-month-old economic blockade of two national highways that had caused a severe shortage of essential supplies to Manipur.

The "temporary suspension" came ahead of the Centre's decision to escort goods vehicles from tomorrow on NH 39 with the help of central paramilitary forces.

A joint statement said the decision to lift the blockade temporarily from 16:00 hours today was taken at a marathon meeting here among leaders of Naga Students? Federation (NSF), Naga Hoho (council), ANSAM, United Naga Council (UNC), Naga People?s Movement for Human Rights-South (NPMHR) and Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM).

ANSAM, UNC and other Naga civil society bodies said in a joint declaration that the agitation by Naga people would continue in different forms and at different levels till the aspirations of Naga people were fulfilled by the Centre and the Manipur government.