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Highway blockade by Naga groups causing shortage of fuel in Manipur | The week-long economic blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC) against the Manipur District Council (amendment) Act, 2008 has disrupted normal life in
the hill districts. The transportation of goods was badly affected and resulted
in acute shortage of essential commodities and a rise in prices. Passenger buses
and goods-laden trucks were stranded on national highways 39 and 53. The Naga
groups in Manipur as their warning move called a two -week long economic blockade
in protest against the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (Amendment) Act,
2008. In fact, the autonomous council elections in the Manipur hill districts
are due for May. After elections, more funds from the Centre are expected to pour
in for the development of the hill region. People alleged that Naga underground
outfits which are against development of the region have been supporting groups
like Naga Students' Federation and Naga United Council to disrupt the election
proceedings. The two-week long economic blockade has affected normal life in the
region, and there is a huge shortage of fuel and essential commodities. At some
places, petrol, which is normally sold for Rs 49 per litre, is now going for Rs
70 Rs per litre. "This has created a lot of inconvenience to the people, as we
are forced to stock fuel for our vehicles. This causes unnecessary delays and
creates many problems. So the concerned authorities should take steps that prevent
such inconveniences in the future," said Jayanta Singh. "With the blockade on
NH-39, we have lost a lot of money. At the minimum, we have lost crores of rupees
because of the weeklong economic Blockade on the National Highway-39. As it has
been extended for another seven days, things are becoming worse. This greatly
affects the daily wage earners as the cost of rice and other essential commodities
is rising," said N Babu Singh, a ticket salesman Naga outfits have hinted that
the economic blockade on the national highways may be an indefinite one. On April
18, authorities escorted at least 96 vehicles including inter-state passenger
buses towards Imphal from Mao Gate and Nagaland on NH-53. On NH-39, blockade supporters rained stones on around nine goods laden vehicles between Chakhamai and Makhan and damaged them. Such acts can only worsen the situation. |
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