Imphal, July 19 : Manipur continues to suffer from fuel crisis with petrol stock running thin, forcing the state government to resort to rationing of supplies.
An official source said inspection of the present stock of petrol by the department this morning found that it would last for only eight days while there was no problem with diesel.
“After assessing the present stock, we have decided to ration petrol to retail outlets daily from tomorrow. There is no problem with diesel,” the source said.
The July 6 blockade on Manipur vehicles by Southern Angami Youth Organisation in Kohima along Imphal-Dimapur highway had depleted the fuel supply to Manipur.
The organisation was protesting the stealing of a Nagaland vehicle in Manipur by four persons.
The blockade was lifted only after the Manipur government handed over the stolen vehicle and two accused to Nagaland police. The blockade was suspended on July 14.
The source said normal supply could not be provided to the retail outlets as the stock was inadequate.
The collection of fuel from Assam by tankers with security escorts resumed only on Monday. The tankers came daily but could not restore normal supply, the source said.
In addition to this, the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of Nagas in Manipur, has decided to go ahead with its 96-hour national highway blockade from July 23 midnight.
The UNC announced the blockade to put pressure on both the Union home ministry and the state government to resume talks on its demand for an alternative administrative arrangement for Nagas living in Manipur.
Three rounds of talks were held on the demand and despite repeated representations by the UNC and the committee for alternative arrangement, a body of Nagas, no response came from the Centre.
Today, only a few pumps continued to supply petrol to consumers while some pumps in Imphal were closed as stocks ran out. Panic-buying by car owners made matters worse, an official source said.
Long queues of two-wheelers and four-wheelers could be seen before the fuel pumps today while petrol was being sold at Rs 110 per litre in black market in and around Imphal city today.
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