Imphal, Aug. 24 : The Okram Ibobi Singh government has requested the Assam government to provide security for free movement of Manipur-bound vehicles carrying essential items, including fuel and LPG.
The request was made after an indefinite blockade imposed against Nagaland by citizens’ bodies and student groups of Golaghat along National Highway 39, the main supply line for Manipur, disrupted supply of essential commodities, including fuel and cooking gas.
Transporters stranded at Golaghat reported that nearly 150 loaded tankers and goods trucks bound for Manipur remained stranded since the blockade started.
The blockade is a result of a land dispute between people of the two neighbouring states.
The blockade was, however, lifted last evening. “Yes, we have reports that more than 100 Manipur-bound supply trucks and tankers are stran-ded at Numaligarh following the blockade. We have requested the Assam government to ensure free movement of Manipur-bound vehicles,” an official source here said.
IOC’s Northeast integrated state office in Guwahati is also reportedly negotiating with the blockade enforcers to allow free movement of Manipur-bound vehicles.
Official sources here said the supply situation in Manipur was not alarming as supply trucks were also using Imphal-Jiribam highway for bringing in fuel and other essential commodities.
Officials at the IOC Imphal office said there was enough stock of petrol and diesel and there was no reason to panic.
However, drivers and their helpers stranded in Golaghat are facing difficulties. “We are here since the blockade began and don’t have money for food. We are sharing whatever we have. The situation is bad,” a tanker driver stranded at Numaligarh told this correspondent today.
Sources said the truckers were told by Assam police to take another route so that they could reach Imphal through the Imphal-Jiribam highway.
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