IT News
Imphal, March 30:
Vice President of the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), Khuraijam Athouba today said that the indefinite blockade imposed by the Southern Angami Peoples’ Organisation (SAPO) which entered 9th day today is illegal, inhuman and against the law of the land, and appealed the government of Manipur to take up suo-moto case against the office bearers of the SAPO.
In a meeting with media persons here in Imphal, Khuraijam Athouba said that as resolved in the meeting of the Central Council, the IPSA is all set to urge both the government of India and Manipur to formulate a Manipur Socio Economic Security Policy to make sure that any agitation or band or blockade on the national high way does not affect the life of the people of Manipur. In connection with the bandh called by the SAPO, Khuraijam Athouba said that the SAPO is demanding for the removal of a police station constructed by the government of Manipur in its own territory. He said that the interstate natural boundary of Nagaland and Manipur still is existed as per the report of the Survey of India 2011.
“There is no misunderstanding to the natural boundary between Manipur and Nagaland and the police station was set up inside the territory of Manipur”, Athouba added.
On the other hand IPSA leaders had extended its solidarity to the counter blockade called by AMYA and AAMSO and said that the concern of the Manipuri people who have stayed outside the state is appreciated in the highest manner.
On the other hand, supply of fuel has been adversely affected in most retail outlets across Manipur as stocks of petroleum products depleted fast owing to non-arrival of oil tankers from outside the State as a result of the indefinite bandh called by Southern Angami Peoples’ Organisation (SAPO). The bandh entered its ninth day on Tuesday.
Most fuel stations opened as usual on Tuesday, but with the notice “Petrol stock nil” and provided only diesel. Long queues were seen at the few fuel stations that still had petrol in stock during the day.
According to some staff of the fuel stations, petrol stocks dried up due to non-arrival of oil tankers from outside. However, they added that diesel was still available.
It has been almost a week since the oil tankers reached the State Capital. Normal arrival of petroleum products in the State was severely hit owing to the indefinite bandh call given by Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO), which led to suspension of plying of all kinds of Imphal-bound vehicles. The Manipur government had already made arrangements for procurement of petroleum products from Assam through Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-37.
Sources said loaded oil tankers and bullet tankers (bulk LPG carriers) escorted by security forces had left Khatkhati (Assam) and were on the way. They were likely to reach Imphal in the next one or two days.
Hundreds of empty oil tankers had also left Imphal along NH-37 for Assam a few days ago.
