Gas, petroleum products scarcity hit hard Manipur

Imphal, Oct 27 (UNI) Fuel crisis in Manipur have hit the people hard with cooking gas being sold at Rs 1000 per cylinder in the black market while petrol and diesel outlets went dry after truckers refused to bring petroleum products from Asom following alleged extortion threats in Nagaland.

Truckers have been refusing to drive vehicles on NH 39, which connects Manipur and Asom via Nagaland, without the assistance of security forces due to the All Manipur Died-in-Harness Demand Committee sponsor economic blockade and imposition of high ''legal and illegal taxation'' on vechicles in Nagaland .

Meanwhile, an emergency joint meeting of All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor WorkersUnion and police department discussed the present situation and future course of action for importing of fuel prodcuts from neighbouring states.

They have decided that three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the vehicles would be escorted upto Dimapur, Nagaland, Asom border, and bring them back to Imphal with loads.

The transporters alleged that they were being harrassed in Nagaland and were forced to cough up Rs 2000 at the check points and another Rs 4000 to the extortionists on each trip.

The transporters have demanded immediate development of NH 53 as it connects Asom via Jiribam bypassing Nagaland.

UNI NS PC SS SY VV1314