Newmai News Network Imphal | November 15 Altogether 286 empty trucks from the state reached Assam’s Silchar, the headquarters of Cachar district, this morning to fetch fuel and other essential items, sources said. This news comes as a welcome development as the state is reeling under acute shortage of consumer goods due to an indefinite economic blockade imposed along National Highways by the United Naga Council (UNC). The trucks which include 46 oil tankers and 63 bullet tankers are expected to turn up from Silchar for Imphal in two-three days. On top of it, 17 oil tankers are being arranged for the blockade-hit state by Assam government to help cope with the severe shortage of fuel, officials informed on Tuesday. It has been reported that prices of petrol, diesel and household kerosene have skyrocketed across Manipur as the indefinite blockade entered the 16th day. Petrol price has skyrocketed to over Rs 250 per litre which has left common people, working professionals, traders and a lot of others in a difficult situation. All school transports have ceased services due to the scarcity of fuel. The government-arranged empty trucks were sent to Silchar through Imphal-Jiribam highway yesterday. State Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Director M Yaiskul Singh is currently staying in Silchar to oversee the transportation of goods. UNC began the indefinite blockade since midnight of October 30 taking a stand against the Manipur government’s move to declare Sadar Hills and Jiribam as full-fledged revenue districts. The Naga body has also banned all on-going national projects in the 'Naga areas' as part of the stir. All arrangements have been put in place to escort back nearly 150 goods trucks currently stranded in Khatkhati of Karbi Anglong district in Assam. Apart from this, nearly 350 Imphal-bound goods-loaded trucks are now stuck in Mao area of Senapati district near Nagaland border. Meanwhile, the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) has condemned UNC over the protracted blockade dubbing the council a “communal” group. The association expressed unhappiness that UNC kicked-off their stir on the onset of Ningol Chakouba festivities. Ningol Chakouba is one of the biggest festivals of the Meitei community. “The political movement launched by the Naga body has gone totally against the interest of the people of Manipur,” an IPSA press release accused. It alleged that the council is acting against the aspiration of the Kuki community which has been demanding creation of a district 'for development and progress'. IPSA said that UNC’s political movement seems to have been going against the efforts aimed at promoting communal harmony among the ethnic groups of Manipur.