Imphal, Aug 11 : Young women whose husbands were killed by the police, security forces and militants in the conflict have urged the Manipur government to take immediate steps to ensure the free movement of trucks carrying goods on Highways 39 and 53. They said they were forced to buy the essentials at exorbitant rates following the shortage of goods.
Speaking at a press conference organised by the United Conflict Widows Forum Manipur here, they said they were left to fend for themselves and were denied BPL (Below Poverty Line) ration cards and widow pension. They were also denied solatium due to official apathy.
Ration shops were denying essentials on the pretext of the blockade by militant groups, the women alleged. They demanded the intervention of the Union government to break the impasse.