Officials aware of the matter told HT that around 90 goods-carrying vehicles were stranded on Nagaland’s side of the interstate boundary in Khuzama along NH-2 as of Friday.Irked by the prolonged suspension of mobile internet services in Manipur, a student body in the Senapati district has imposed an indefinite economic blockade since Thursday evening, leaving around 90 commercial vehicles stranded along the Manipur-Nagaland border, officials said.

The Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) imposed a blockade at two entry points bordering Nagaland National Highways 2 and 129A, which serve as major lifelines for Manipur (File Photo)
The Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) imposed a blockade at two entry points bordering Nagaland National Highways 2 and 129A, which serve as major lifelines for Manipur (File Photo)
The Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) imposed a blockade at two entry points bordering Nagaland National Highways 2 and 129A, which serve as major lifelines for Manipur.
Officials aware of the matter told HT that around 90 goods-carrying vehicles were stranded on Nagaland’s side of the interstate boundary in Khuzama along NH-2 as of Friday. However, the number of stranded vehicles along NH-129A connecting Peren in Nagaland and Maram in Manipur could not be ascertained till the time of filing of this report.

On October 4, the student body served a 24-hour ultimatum to the state government to lift the ban on mobile internet service in the district of Senapati where there is no law and order situation. “We firmly believe that Internet access is not just a privilege but a fundamental right that every citizen should enjoy without interruption. SDSA’s press release said continuing to ban mobile internet services statewide, even if the issue is limited to specific areas, is not only unreasonable but also violates fundamental rights ours as citizens of a free country.

The students said they had no choice but to mount a democratic movement to make their voices heard.

When HT contacted SDSA, general secretary L Singson said the state government had taken no action since the association’s lockdown began on Thursday evening.

SDSA will maintain the economic blockade as long as the state government continues to ban mobile internet services, he said. Singson also said the association has contacted its counterparts in other peaceful districts such as Chandel, Tamenglong and Ukhrul to join hands in demanding removal of mobile internet services.

On September 23, the Manipur government lifted the ban on mobile internet services that had been suspended for nearly five months from May 3. However, it was reimposed on September 26 in The next 5 days until October 1, after thousands of students from Imphal reached Imphal. took to the streets to protest the deaths of two Meitei teenagers.

On October 1, the state again extended the suspension of mobile Internet and data services for another five days, until October 6.