Kerosene scarce in Manipur

Imphal, Mar 26 (UNI) Kerosene has done the disappearing act in Manipur following the interference of the militants.

Official sources here today said if some were lucky, they could purchase it at about Rs 40 a litre in the black market.

The people had started protesting the non-availabilty of kerosene and demanded that the government should make it available to the people.

The issue was also discussed in the state Assembly and Minister Ngamthang Haokip said it was the duty of the district officials to make it available as it was distributed through them.

Officials admitted of interference from the militants in the matter making it hard for officials to distribute it.

Meanwhile, the Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) had announced that all oil pumps should supply the sanctioned quota of kerosene to the sub-agents. It had further asked all sub-agents to distribute the oil to the public in time.

President of the MSF Sanjoy alleged that the oil depots were distributing kerosene much below the allotted quota to the people, causing immense hardship. The erratic power supply in the state compels people to depend on kerosene for light and the coming Board examinations have made it much harder for the students, who cannot read properly at night due to non-supply of power and non- availability of kerosene.

The students depend on candles imported from neighbouring Myanmar. The MSF had urged the Minister to intervene and ensure availability of kerosene.

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