Worried over the shortage of essential commodities in Manipur arising out of ongoing blockade of national highways by the United Naga Council (UNC), the Union home ministry on 12th Dec placed 1,500 Central para-military personnel at disposal of the state government to supplement its efforts to lift the blockade.
The UNC is protesting against the Manipur government's move to upgrade Sadar Hills and Jiribam to full-fledged districts.
Sadar Hills is being carved out of Senapati district, which has a substantial Naga population.
The Centre also appealed to United Naga Council (UNC) to withdraw the "illegal" blockade in view of the difficulties faced by the people of Manipur. "All contentious issues need to be settled peacefully by democratic and lawful means," it added.
