New Delhi, India (CNN) -- Indian authorities plan to send paramilitaries this week to end a crippling 65-day road blockade by ethnic tribes in a remote, insurgency-wracked northeastern region of the country, a top official said Tuesday.
Home secretary G.K. Pillai told CNN that troops would deploy "in a day or two" on a major highway in the state of Manipur.
On Monday, a group of Naga tribe protesters announced easing the two-month long blockade temporarily.
The blockade has made it virtually impossible to get supplies of food, fuel and life-saving drugs to his state, home to 2.5 million people, a government spokesman said.
But authorities in New Delhi, who have been criticized by the Indian media for their handling of the crisis in Manipur, said plans were in place to move troops in. Top officials from Manipur and neighboring Nagaland state are due to meet and review the issue Wednesday in New Delhi, Pillai said.
As of now, paramilitaries are expected to escort the first convoy of trucks into the state by Friday, he said.
According to state officials, about 2,000 troops from paramilitary forces will guard one of the two highways.
"In the larger interest of our people, we cannot allow this to continue. It has to end," said N. Biren Singh, a Manipur government spokesman.
