Manipur blockade completes 51st day

The Manipur government's efforts towards countering the economic blockade by Nagas activists through regulation and rationing of fuel and essential commodities seem to be on the verge of petering out as the blockade entered the 51st day today.

Fuel shortage is nothing new to Imphal city but this summer it has taken proportions not seen before with people queuing up overnight for just a few litres of petrol or diesel, reports say.

This is because Naga student activists have blocked two highways into Manipur and after a month's delay the government rushed in supplies forcing open the blockade for a day to move in a convoy of trucks carrying essential commodities. The supplies are running out now.

The government has also regulated the sale of fuel with two-wheelers getting 5 litres and four-wheelers eligible for 10 litres, but the supply is irregular and inadequate.

However, according to reports from Imphal, black market sale is booming with petrol and diesel available between Rs100 and Rs150.

Along with fuel, commodity prices are also hitting the roof in the state with no end to the crisis in sight.