Petrol in Manipur gets three times costlier as indefinite UNC blockade hits transport services
People have been queuing up at the petrol pumps to get petrol as they don't have frequent access to public transport. The blockade by the United Naga Council has gone on for over 40 days.
In Short
- The UNC blockade has brought transportation services to a halt, hit other businesses.
- Cost of petrol for Rs 600 is 4-wheelers, Rs 400 for 3-wheelers and Rs 200 for 2-wheelers.
- UNC enforced an indefinite blockade on Nov 1 after Manipur government announced formation of new districts.
Manipur is facing an acute petrol crisis as a ripple effect of demonetisation and indefinite blockade called by the United Naga Council in the state.
The blockade by the UNC has gone on for more than 40 days, bringing transportation services to a standstill due to scarcity of petrol, apart from hampering other businesses.
The blockade has adversely affected the people of Manipur, particularly those living in the valley.
People have been queuing up at the petrol pumps to get petrol as they don't have frequent access to public transport.
They reportedly kept waiting an entire night at a petrol pump near the Ladies' market in Imphal town to get just a litre of fuel, which is being sold at three times its normal price at around Rs. 150-200 per litre.
Mubarak, a local, said, "We are facing a lot of difficulties due to the economic blockade. We have to purchase petrol at Rs 150-200 per litre from black marketeers." Another local Idris said, "I have been here since last night to get just one litre of petrol."
A car owner said that he had to buy petrol for Rs 250 per litre as he was running behind schedule.
LOCALS RESENT BLOCKADE
On the other hand, an auto driver who had stood in a queue the entire night expressed his resentment over the economic blockade and said,"I have been here in the queue since last night to get 5 litres of petrol. The blockade has entered its 41st day. Many vehicles are in front of me in the queue and I don't know whether I will get petrol."
Also read | 7 new districts formed in Manipur amid opposition by Nagas
At a petrol pump in Imphal East, locals voluntarily extended help to customers by giving them tokens to get the petrol.
The cost of petrol for Rs 600 is 4-wheelers, Rs 400 for 3-wheelers and Rs 200 for 2-wheelers.
The United Naga Council (UNC), probably the biggest Naga organisation in Manipur, enforced an indefinite blockade on the 1st of November, after the Manipur government announced the formation of new districts for administrative convenience, which allegedly divided the ancestral lands of the Nagas.
NOTHING DONE FOR MANIPUR'S DEVELOPMENT: LOCALS
According to locals, no positive action has been taken by the Manipur government for the development of the state.
Abash, a Manipuri local said, "The central government as well as the state government should try to lift the economic blockade as soon as possible."
With no strong opposition from the government, it is tough to say for how long people of Manipur will have to face these hardships.
WITH INPUTS FROM JIT NINGOMBA IN MANIPUR)