Fuel crisis hits Manipur as petrol pumps remain closed for 3 days
Imphal: Nearly 130 petrol pumps across Manipur’s valley districts and peripheral areas remained closed on Saturday in protest against bomb threats, rampant extortion and the rise in ‘unbearable’ monetary demands by suspected militants.
It is the third consecutive day that petrol pumps have remained closed in Manipur, with filing stations being forced to shut the previous two days due to a shutdown called by the Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of militant outfits, boycotting President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Manipur.
The closure of petrol pumps for three consecutive days disrupted daily life, leaving commuters and essential service providers struggling for fuel. Reports of rampant black marketing have also surfaced from several areas. With all fuel outlets remaining shut, people were forced to rely on the black market, where petrol was sold at rates as high as Rs 150 per litre.
A school student transporter, who was seen buying petrol from the black market, said the closure of petrol pumps severely affected his service as he has to buy petrol by paying more from the black market.
The Manipur petroleum dealers’ fraternity had announced the closure of all petrol pumps in the valley districts and peripheral areas following a bomb threat at Ibudhou Pakhangba Filling Station, Keikol, along Koirengei Road in Imphal East earlier this month. A hand grenade was found inside the toilet of the filling station, accompanied by a letter warning of severe consequences if ‘demands’ were not met.
One member of the petroleum dealers’ fraternity, who chose to remain anonymous, described the recent incident as a stark reflection of the worsening security situation faced by business communities in Manipur. He said petrol pump owners and their employees are frequently subjected to threats, extortion and, in some instances, abduction, creating an atmosphere of fear that makes it challenging to continue operating despite providing an essential public service.
While regretting the inconveniences caused to the public due to the closure of petrol pumps, he said the dealers were left with no option but to highlight their predicament with such a form of protest.
“The petroleum dealers also pay illegal taxes while transporting products along the national highways. But unlike other commodities like potatoes or onions or cement, we can’t simply hike the retail selling price to cover for the illegal taxes,” he added.
In a recent memorandum addressed to the Manipur governor, the fraternity expressed serious concern over public safety, stressing that petrol pumps serve hundreds of customers daily and that any act of violence at such locations could endanger lives and property.
The dealers appealed to the authorities to enhance security measures and create conditions that allow businesses to function without fear.
The fraternity warned that continued threats and extortion may disrupt fuel supply in the state and even lead to the complete closure of the petrol pumps.
It is the third consecutive day that petrol pumps have remained closed in Manipur, with filing stations being forced to shut the previous two days due to a shutdown called by the Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of militant outfits, boycotting President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Manipur.
The closure of petrol pumps for three consecutive days disrupted daily life, leaving commuters and essential service providers struggling for fuel. Reports of rampant black marketing have also surfaced from several areas. With all fuel outlets remaining shut, people were forced to rely on the black market, where petrol was sold at rates as high as Rs 150 per litre.
A school student transporter, who was seen buying petrol from the black market, said the closure of petrol pumps severely affected his service as he has to buy petrol by paying more from the black market.
The Manipur petroleum dealers’ fraternity had announced the closure of all petrol pumps in the valley districts and peripheral areas following a bomb threat at Ibudhou Pakhangba Filling Station, Keikol, along Koirengei Road in Imphal East earlier this month. A hand grenade was found inside the toilet of the filling station, accompanied by a letter warning of severe consequences if ‘demands’ were not met.
One member of the petroleum dealers’ fraternity, who chose to remain anonymous, described the recent incident as a stark reflection of the worsening security situation faced by business communities in Manipur. He said petrol pump owners and their employees are frequently subjected to threats, extortion and, in some instances, abduction, creating an atmosphere of fear that makes it challenging to continue operating despite providing an essential public service.
While regretting the inconveniences caused to the public due to the closure of petrol pumps, he said the dealers were left with no option but to highlight their predicament with such a form of protest.
“The petroleum dealers also pay illegal taxes while transporting products along the national highways. But unlike other commodities like potatoes or onions or cement, we can’t simply hike the retail selling price to cover for the illegal taxes,” he added.
In a recent memorandum addressed to the Manipur governor, the fraternity expressed serious concern over public safety, stressing that petrol pumps serve hundreds of customers daily and that any act of violence at such locations could endanger lives and property.
The dealers appealed to the authorities to enhance security measures and create conditions that allow businesses to function without fear.
The fraternity warned that continued threats and extortion may disrupt fuel supply in the state and even lead to the complete closure of the petrol pumps.
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