Should Delhi(Central Govt.) Intervene in Troubled Manipur?

India's NorthEastern State of Manipur has been under siege for more than 100 days, as rival tribes, the Kukis and the Nagas, vie for power. 

  
Manipur Blockade
 
The isolated, landlocked state depends on two main highways for essential goods. On Aug. 1, 2011, the Kukis blockaded both routes (NH 39 and NH 53)demanding the creation of a Kuki district in the Sadar Hills region of Manipur's Senapati district. 

 NH 39 starts from Numaligarh,Assam and ends at Indo-Myanmar Border covering a distance of 436 km (271 mi), of which 115 km (71 mi) is in Assam, 100 km (62 mi) is in Nagaland  and 211 km (131 mi) is in Manipur.




NH 53 connects Badarpur,Assam  with Imphal,Manipur covering a distance of 320 km (200 mi), of which 100 km (62 mi) is in Assam and 220 km (140 mi)is in Manipur.

The two blockaded highways(NH39 and 53) are Manipur's only road links with the rest of India. The third highway, NH 150, connects Manipur through Mizoram with the rest of India is in a decrepit condition and unfit for trucks and other heavy vehicles. 
                                                              NH 150

After 92 days, the government agreed, only to have the Nagas launch their own blockade against the settlement.Nagas, who form the majority in the Senapati district, are opposed to a Kuki district being carved out of Senapati.
The Kuki-Naga conflict over the Sadar Hills region goes back at least two decades.
Manipur is not new to economic blockades. Militant outfits, civil society organizations and political groups blockade roads routinely. The state has been wracked by insurgency for almost four decades.
Between 2004 and 2007, Manipur experienced 110 bandhs and 234 economic blockades.
AFSPA which confers extraordinary powers on the armed forces, has been in effect in all of Manipur since 1980. Scores of innocent civilians have been killed or arrested under this draconian legislation. 

Three months later, the state is at risk of an acute humanitarian crisis, with fuel stocks and medical supplies running short. 
NDTV reported recently that the state's largest government hospital was running out of medicines and oxygen and doctors unable to carry out surgeries. Manipuris have been paying 3 to 5 times more for petrol and cooking gas

On Nov. 8, 2011 the 100th day of the blockage, Manipur's Chief Minister Ibobi Singh said the government's patience was running out and promised "stern action." A week later, the blockade persists and calls are mounting for direct intervention from New Delhi(Central Govt.)

There are as many as 23 separatist groups waging a decades-old insurgency in Manipur. The rivalry between the majority Meiteis, who live in the valley, and the martial tribes of Nagas and Kukis who live in the mountains makes governing difficult. 

SC issue notices to CG and Manipur Govt on the recent economic blockade- Dec 14,2011

The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday issued notices to Central Government and Manipur Government on the recent economic blockade in Manipurand has asked what steps should be taken to prevent such blockades.
The SC has also asked the Central Government to compute the quantum of loses that has occurred due to these blockades across the country in last two years.