The front page photograph in The Hindu (June 11) of fuel being sold in the black market in front of a fuel station in Manipur, which has been hit hard due to a blockade by Naga students for two months, is disturbing and raises serious questions. Is not blocking of the supply of essentials to a State by another a breach of federalism? Does not the Centre have a responsibility to break it?
All the States have problems with their neighbours — like a boundary dispute or dispute over water-sharing. Can a blockade be accepted as a legitimate means of protest? When some political parties in Tamil Nadu announced a blockade of neighbouring Kerala over the Mullaperiyar issue, the Tamil Nadu government acted in time to thwart it. Should that not be the attitude of all the States?
M.K.B. Nambiar,Mahe
The indication from Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai and leaders of the Naga Students Federation that the blockade would be lifted soon is welcome. But Mr. Pillai's comment that it would have been better if the Manipur government had allowed Thuingaleng Muivah to visit his home village was avoidable. Mr. Muivah is the head of a banned organisation and there criminal cases are pending against him.
Angom Amarjit Singh,Ningthoukhong
