Emboldened by the targeting of the entourage of the Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at Golaghat along Assam-Nagaland border on Monday, all vehicular movement along the highway leading to Nagaland and Manipur has been banned by protesters, students in particular.
The escorts of the Chief Minister had a tough time in protecting Mr. Gogoi despite firings in the air and baton charging of refugees who say that border areas are neglected by the government
The Nagaland government has issued an advisory to the Nagas not to travel through Golaghat. Fourteen persons were gunned down by Naga extremists and four others are missing. Nine paramilitary personnel of Nagaland were abducted by villagers of Golaghat.
Mr. Gogoi and Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang have urged the Centre for intervention. Meanwhile official level talks on the border dispute scheduled on Monday are not expected to be fruitful.
Over 100 buses and trucks bound for Imphal have been stranded in Golaghat district since trouble started five days ago.
The Manipur government has not done anything to escort the stranded vehicles to Imphal. However vehicles originating from Imphal, Guwahati and Shillong have been stopped.
This highway has been the lifeline of Manipur. During this period, nothing can be brought to Imphal.
