Trucks loaded with essential supplies and petroleum products have begun entering Manipur which remains cut-off with two highways from Assam and Nagaland blockaded by Naga students since April 16, official sources said today.

Around 18 heavy and 17 light commercial vehicles carrying 220 barrels of petrol, 76 barrels of diesel and 35 bags of sugar and other supplies entered Manipur territory yesterday from Mizoram, the sources said.

More vehicles are on their way to Manipur, the sources said.

Official sources in Aizawl said the Mizoram government, which has accepted the appeal of neighbouring Manipur, today appointed state Joint Secretary for home T V Fambol as the nodal officer to oversee movement of essential commodities via the Silchar-Aizawl-Sinzawl- Churachandpur-Imphal road.

Earlier, the Manipur government sent an SOS to the Mizoram government seeking help in using an alternate route to ferry supplies to the beleaguered state.

Meanwhile, a Manipur ministerial team headed by Works Minister K. Ranjit inspected the Imphal-Churachandpur-Thanlong -Tuivah-Aizawl NH 150 which is also known as Guite road yesterday, reports from the district said.

Reports said the Border Roads Task Force personnel were assisting trucks coming from Mizoram.

The blockade by the All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) continued on National Highways 39 (Dimapur-Imphal) and 53 (Jiribam-Imphal) to protest the state government's plan to hold elections to autonomous district councils in hill districts.