Imphal, November 18 (NNN): After more than two weeks of being shut in the wake of an indefinite blockade along National Highways called by the United Naga Council (UNC), select fuel stations in Manipur started dispensing fuel on Friday morning. UNC kicked-off the stir from October 30 midnight to pressure both the state and central governments to abandon the plan for declaration of Sadar Hills and Jiribam as full-fledged revenue districts. The Naga group intensified the blockade stir after talks on the issue with officials of Union Home Ministry in New Delhi became inconclusive. Parents are now especially concerned with closure of schools in the state where annual final examinations have almost reached now. School transport service was suspended on November 10 following the non availability of fuel in the outlets. Thereafter, all schools were declared holiday indefinitely. Most schools are likely to resume classes in the next few days as the state government has made arrangements to ferry more fuel from Assam. Trucks are now taking Imphal-Jiribam highway under heavy security arrangements. On Friday, 160 KL of petrol and 216 KL of diesel were distributed at 59 spots, according to IOC, Imphal. Cash disruption following withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes by the Centre coupled with the acute shortage of essential commodities caused by the protracted blockade have turned a traumatic situation in the state. Long queue of vehicles could be seen at petrol pumps across Imphal. People also thronged ATMs and banks. Prices of consumer goods have skyrocketed over the past couple of days.
