People start panic buying as economic blockade enters 5th day

Imphal, Mar 30 (UNI) People were resorting to panic-buying of essentials and petroleum products as the All Tribal Students' Association of Manipur(ATSUM)-sponsored economic blockade entered the fifth day today.

ATSUM is demanding more infrastructure for educational institutes in the state's hill areas.

About 130 trucks were still stranded on the two National Highways, 39 and 53, at border areas as these were not allowed to enter.

Oil depots were crowded as people started stocking petrol.

Meanwhile, several rounds of talks between Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, his cabinet colleagues and ATSUM leaders failed to cut much ice.

Official sources said the government was ready to engage teachers on contract basis to fill the vacancies in hill areas and even set up a different education directorate for the areas.

The government was also prepared to formulate reservation policy for tribals within a timeframe. ATSUM members said there remained some disagreements on some points and they would intensify the stir.

Meanwhile, the Students' Federation of India and other organisations have urged the government to resolve the crisis considering the hardship faced by the people. They said economic blockade should not be taken up as a form of agitation as people from all over the state were affected.

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