After requesting Mizoram to help in transport of essential supplies through its territory to the state because of blockades by Naga students on two vital highways since April 16, the Manipur government today said that life-saving drugs would be air-lifted from Guwahati.

In view of the acute shortage of life-saving drugs in the state, these would be airlifted from Guwahati on May 17, official sources said.

The sources said that drivers of over 130 trucks laden with essential supplies and cooking gas stranded at Jiribam on the Assam-Manipur border and Silchar in Assam had refused to make a detour saying the road from Mizoram's border to Manipur's Churachandpur district was in extremely poor condition.

Shortage of essential supplies have led to their spiralling prices.

The indefinite economic blockade, launched by All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) was to protest the government's plan to hold autonomous district council elections.