The northeastern state of Manipur is in the throes of a breakdown with hospitals putting on hold all routine surgeries due to non-availability of oxygen cylinders while stocks of all essentials, baby food, and life saving drugs have almost dried up.

An indefinite economic blockade for the past one week enforced by various Naga tribal groups to protest the Manipur government's decision not to allow separatist leader Thuingaleng Muivah to visit his birthplace has literally brought the state to a halt.