Now, Naga outfit blocks Manipur NH to oppose border fencing

IMPHAL: Manipur's transport lifeline, NH-2, ground to a halt again Tuesday as United Naga Council (UNC) declared a "trade embargo" across Naga-inhabited areas, barely a week after Union govt persuaded another tribal group, Kuki-Zo Council, to lift its blockade.The Naga group is protesting what it terms "unilateral abrogation" of the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR) and home ministry's move to fence most of the 398km border. The community views cross-border restrictions as a threat to shared historical, social and cultural ties with Myanmar.Scores of goods-laden trucks were stranded along the highway connecting Imphal with Nagaland's Dimapur after the fresh blockade kicked in at midnight. UNC supporters waylaid Imphal-bound vehicles at Taphou in Senapati and offloaded supplies, including medicines and baby food, sources said. Other districts through which passage of goods vehicles has been affected are Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Kamjong and Noney."The trade embargo is indefinite. We won't back down until Union govt stops border fencing and reviews FMR," a UNC executive member said. The highway blockade comes ahead of PM Modi's scheduled trip to Manipur after visiting Mizoram.