Imphal: The Manipur economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council nearly five months ago was to be lifted from midnight yesterday, said an official statement after the talks among the Centre, the state government and the Naga groups.

The joint statement issued after the tripartite talks said there would be unconditional release of the arrested UNC leaders and all cases related to the economic blockade against the Naga tribe leaders and the student leaders will be closed.