Manipur terror law dispute deepens

The state government says some of the latest protest are illegal

The government in India's north-eastern state of Manipur says it is determined to resist pressure to repeal a controversial federal anti-terror law.

It has continuted to provide military escorts to trucks and buses threatened by an opposition blockade of the state.

The government also it will fight moves to stop the Hindi language being taught in schools.

Manipur has been on the boil since the killing and alleged rape of a Manipuri woman held by Indian soldiers in July.

Unprecedented blockade

Many trucks have been stranded on highways leading into Manipur since Monday as drivers refused to enter the restive state.

Correspondents say the blockade - to demand the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act - is unprecedented.

The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says that all nine district magistrates in Manipur on Thursday appealed to all educational institutions in the state to continue teaching Hindi.

Student groups earlier said they would not allow Hindi to be taught unless the act is withdrawn.

Magistrates said that the moves against teaching Hindi are anti-national and illegal and they will be firmly dealt with.

They said learning Hindi was important because it provided job opportunities for students from Manipur all over India.

Our correspondent says the state government is providing military and paramilitary escorts to buses and trucks using the two national highways connecting Manipur with the rest of the country.

But the agitators say they are determined to continue the blockade until 4 October. So far they have avoided a confrontation with the security forces.