00:00National highways 2 and 37 are more than roads. They are money-post lifelines connecting the
00:09landlocked state to the rest of the country and ensuring the flow of essential supplies
00:15like food, medicine, fuel and relief aid. Since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023,
00:25these key routes have been severely disrupted. Barricades, protests and blockades have brought
00:33movement to a halt deepening the humanitarian and economic crisis. Prolonged highway blockades
00:42amid ongoing ethnic tensions are taking a serious toll on ordinary citizens.
00:47If we are not able to travel on the surface from Imphal to Dimapur, from Imphal to Bodertown,
00:58then how this Southeast Asian countries gateway of India to Southeast Asian nations, how this trilateral
01:09highway, how this trans-Asian national highway, how this AGX policy will be implemented if this
01:15road transport is not functioning properly.
01:19The impact is widespread across Maripur. Small businesses are shutting down, supply chains
01:29are broken and prices of essentials have soared. Families face uncertainty, hospitals struggle
01:37with delays and students miss out on education. Legal and economic experts have called these
01:44blockades unlawful and highly disruptive. Sometimes when there is economic blockade on the national
01:52highway, there is shortage of essential commodities. Sometimes security guarded the vehicles, good
01:59laden trucks, then they arrive at Imphal. But sometimes these supplies did not come in time,
02:06so people are suffering. The economic activities, it has gone down so much that Manipur has the highest
02:12inflation in the country. Per capita income is around 7,000, whereas in the rest of the
02:18countries, it is sometimes even to 25,000. So after the violence, the per capita income
02:24has decreased, inflation has increased. People are now living almost hand to mouth. Law and order
02:32has to be implemented strictly in the valley and in the hill areas without any prejudice and without any,
02:39you know, hesitation. Otherwise, people feel that, some people feel that they are above the low.
02:44Experts and citizens alike agree. Restoring law, order and free movement in Manipur is vital,
02:53not just for peace, but for progress. Only then can the state realize its vision as India's strategic gateway to Southeast Asia.
03:05Got it, guys. Peace to you, you!
03:12Bye!
03:16Bye!
03:21Bye!
03:22Bye!
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