The PM's Manipur trip

Manmohan Singh on Saturday pledged to protect Manipur’s territorial integrity as a sullen Imphal welcomed him and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi with empty roads and closed markets. The Manipur capital wore a deserted look because of opposition to their visit by both mainstream and underground groups. Three civil society groups asked people to boycott the visit to protest against the Centre’s failure to end the recent 121 day blockade of the national highways by Kukis and Nagas Seven banned outfits called a 14-hour bandh over their demand for a sovereign Manipur. Singh said, “The Centre extended all possible support to the state government during the crisis (blockade) and made essential commodities available to the people. The blockades were painful for the people and harmful to its economy.” Singh allayed fears about the state losing its territorial unity. He said the Centre had made no such proposal and was committed to protecting Manipur’s integrity.