Manipur Blockade: Mary Kom urges PM to intervene

New Delhi: Distressed by the economic blockade that has crippled her home state Manipur, five-time world champion boxer and Rajya Sabha MP Mary Kom has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and resolve the crisis.

The blockade has been imposed by United Naga Council to protest the state government's decision to form seven new districts. The UNC claims the districts in the Naga-dominated hill areas will affect the land holdings of Naga tribes settled in these areas.

The blockade which has now crossed the 50 day mark has crippled normal life in Manipur with scarcity of essential goods being a major concern apart from violence.

In a letter to Modi, Mary Kom, an Olympic bronze-medallist, urged him to try and resolve the issue at the earliest.

Stating the state is going through the “toughest of times”, she said the people are suffering due to blockade and the counter-blockade.

"The whole section of communities, both in hills and valley, residing in Manipur are suffering due to the economic blockade and counter-blockade and if not intervened in time, there are possibilities of untoward happenings and the people are so insecure," she wrote.

She urged the Prime Minister to intervene at the earliest and bring a peaceful solution adding, “this act will remain a great achievement and the people will remain in owe towards your kind intervention," she said.