Trucks, oil tankers arrive in Imphal for first time since Naga blockade

Imphal, November 16 (IANS): Bringing some relief to the people, over 100 fuel tankers and trucks carrying consumer items arrived here on Wednesday -- the first supply since the November 1 imposition of a United Naga Council (UNC)-sponsored indefinite economic blockade to protest against the Manipur government's move to create a new district.   India Reserve Battalion personnel and Manipur Police commandos escorted 299 trucks and oil tankers on Monday to deliver fuel and consumer items along the 222-km NH 37. Over 1,500 trucks and oil tankers stranded in Assam, Nagaland and border areas of Manipur had converged at Jiribam town in Imphal East district, near the border with Assam.   Manipur's Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister K. Biren and high ranking officials rushed to Assam to hold talks with the drivers and transport agents. Initially, the drivers were reluctant to ply as they were apprehensive of their security, but were finally convinced.   "Arrangements were made to provide escort so that trucks and oil tankers could ply," said Biren. Government sources, however, said they cannot be sure of the frequency of the trips. In the past, the supplies came once a week. Since the blockade, most of the consumer items are not available.   On Wednesday, some students seized a hoarded stock of potatoes kept for sale at extortionate prices and sold them to passers-by at Rs 20 a kg. The students said that the drive will continue.   Meanwhile, petrol pumps remained shut and petrol was being sold in black at Rs 300 a litre. On measures to end the blockade, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said: "On Tuesday, talks to end the blockade were held in Delhi between the central government and the UNC. Since no written invitation was extended to us, we could not attend the meeting. The talks failed to yield any result."   The UNC had never responded in the past to the government proposals for talks, he added. The UNC has been demanding an alternative arrangement for the Nagas, saying that they no longer want to stay under Ibobi's administration.   More and more persons are resorting to counter-blockade to prevent consumer items being transported to Naga villages. One activist said: "The campaign is not against any tribe. We simply want all sections to feel the pangs of shortage of commodities as a result of the blockade."  

Shopkeepers asked not to hike up prices

  Newmai News Network Imphal | November 16   In the backdrop of acute shortage of consumer items due to indefinite economic blockade call given by the United Naga Council (UNC) since October 30 midnight over the proposed creation of two districts, the Consumer Affairs Food & Public Distribution Minister Ksh Biren Singh held a meeting with shopkeepers of Imphal city and asked them not to hike up prices of essential commodities.   The minister also expressed concern about the shortages in supply of goods during the meeting while telling the shop owners to avoid hoarding and hiking of consumer goods in view of the worsening situation facing the state. The meeting came after Biren halted for one day at Assam’s Silchar to monitor transportation of goods. During the meeting, he also proposed that all shopkeepers display price list.   Volunteers of Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA) sold seized potatoes to public at Rs 20 per kg. People thronged Shamumakhong at Khwairamband Keithel buying potato now sold at an exorbitant rate of Rs 40 a kg. Price of garlic has reached Rs 200 in the market.   Earlier, KSA volunteers in a drive yesterday seized 30 bags of potato from different shops at Khwairamband Keithel, the major market of Imphal city.  On Wednesday, volunteers of Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) and Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Singpalup stormed the state Congress and BJP offices here demanding an immediate solution to the continuing UNC-sponsored economic blockade.