Iboyaima Laithangbam
Imphal, April 27: A series of highway blockades have created a shortage of fuel and consumer items in landlocked Manipur. Fuel is rationed in the three oil pumps in the State, while LPG cylinders cost Rs. 1,600 apiece on the black market.
A 72-hour blockade of the National and State highways, called by contract teachers in the hill districts demanding regularisation of their services, ended on Thursday.
The United Naga Council (UNC) is imposing a 48-hour general strike “in all Naga areas” of the State from Monday midnight. Hence, fuel and consumer goods will be in short supply since Nagas live in all five hill districts that surround the four valley districts of the State. The legalised border trade at Moreh in Manipur and Namphalong in Myanmar comes to a grinding halt during blockades and strikes.
The UNC says the strike is in furtherance of its demand for an alternative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur since it says they do not want to live under the State government, which had allegedly committed excesses on them.
The situation is aggravated by the refusal of transporters to lift fuel from Assam demanding higher transport charges from the contractors. As there is an acute shortage of fuel, the ubiquitous roadside vendors are having a field day — petrol is sold at Rs. 140 a litre.
The Manipur government has been demanding raising of a highway protection force to deal with the recurring highway blockades.
However, the Union government directed it to deploy State forces since it is a law-and-order issue.