The situation in Manipur remained tense on Sunday, after mobile internet services were suspended across the state and prohibitory orders imposed in some areas in the wake of an indefinite 'economic blockade' on two national highways called by an influential student' body over more autonomy for the hill districts, officials said.
A total of 144 trucks, loaded with essential items, entered Manipur via the Guwahati-Imphal NH 39 and Silchar-Imphal NH 53 with security escort on Sunday, official sources said in Imphal.
Senapati district happens to be inhabited largely by different communities of the Kukis, the Nepalis, and the Nagas. Within the district, Sadar Hills is dominated demographically by the Kukis.
Only one petrol pump has stock but it will supply petrol and diesel only to school buses and school vans, official sources said.
Truckers in Manipur are not willing to hit the troubled NH 39 that connects border town of Moreh and Imphal to Assam valley through Dimapur in Nagaland, even after agitating Naga groups in Manipur the All Naga Students' Association of Manipur and the United Naga Council -- have lifted the 67-days-long blockade of the highway from Friday evening.
Hours after the Centre decided to send security forces to remove the 65-day-old blockade of the two national highways causing severe shortage of essential commodities in Manipur, the Naga groups announced temporary suspension of their stir from Tuesday.
The United Naga Council decided on Tuesday, to extend its economic blockade, which was to end today after over three weeks, by 25 more days on two vital highways of Manipur, saying its demands have not been met.
The militants who drove up to the heavily-guarded Assembly complex around 11.30 am and hurled the bomb, which exploded inside the complex, official sources said, adding that they then drove away towards Imphal-Dimapur NH39. No casualty has been reported yet.
Three security personnel were killed and two seriously injured when insurgents ambushed an Assam Rifles patrol in Manipur's Thoubal district on Sunday, official sources said.
Not a single bus or truck bound for other states has plied since the blockade began, sources said.
A Manipur Police commando and two police constables were killed while nine others were injured when militants ambushed road-opening parties at two different places in Chandel district of Manipur on Thursday.