IMPHAL: Vehicular traffic came to a halt today on the two national highways in Manipur on the first day of the indefinite blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC) in protest against the killing of two persons in Ukhrul district in alleged police firing on August 30, an official report said.
All booking counters of passenger vehicles which plied everyday along the two national highways -- Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar -- were also closed in the state capital, the report said.
The blockade also affected movement of vehicular traffic on state highways particularly Naga-majority districts of Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati, it said.
The government was to provide security to all vehicles, but a decision was yet to be taken due to lack of security and police forces, officials said. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in his meeting with Chief Okram Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and outgoing Governor V K Duggal yesterday had assured the state leaders that the Centre would do everything possible for free movement of vehicles along the national highways, they said.
Ibobi Singh, who returned here last night, reviewed the situation with senior police officials and directed them to take security measures along the national highways for free movement of the buses and trucks.
UNC called the blockade agitating against the death of two persons identified as Mayopam Ramror and Ramkashing Vashi in police firing during a rally at Ukhrul district headquarters on August 30.