Imphal, July 28: Even as the State is facing an acute shortage of LPG in the backdrop of the indefinite economic blockade imposed by the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur since midnight of June 19 to protest the June 18 declaration as State Integrity Day, the same is being sold openly on the sly at Kangla, where the goods laden trucks are first made to report.

This reporter saw a number of people coming out of Kangla with filled LPG cylinders while going there to cover a story on hearing that goods laden trucks have been escorted from Dimapur via NH-39.Compared to the black market, the LPG sold on the sly at Kangla comes at a cheaper price.

One customer who had come to buy the much needed household item but was unfortunate to have missed out told The Sangai Express that a filled LPG cylinder can be bought at Rs 400.This is way below the Rs 600/700 per LPG cylinder sold in the black market, he pointed out.

The price of a filled cylinder in the market is actually Rs 298.The customers came in assorted types of vehicles to buy the LPG cylinder ranging from rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, scooters and motor cycles.

This reporter saw some rickshaws carrying three/four filled LPG cylinders coming out from the high security Kangla fort.

One truck driver said that he had also come to get a filled cylinder but unfortunately could not get one.

For effect he added that the LPG cylinders are up for grabs once the trucks carrying LPG reach Kangla.

Surprisingly, many of the customers who said that they could not get their �share �, were seen going towards the direction of the barracks where the IRB men are put up and coming out with filled cylinders in their possession.

An MLA from the ruling SPF Government also witnessed the �open sale� of the LPG and he walked off in a huff threatening that he would take the matter before the notice of the Chief Minister.

When The Sangai Express contacted the Additional DGP (LO) JC Dabbas, the senior police officer assured that if any security personnel are found involved in the shady deal, then fitting punishment would be given.

Dabbas further said that necessary instructions would be issued to the CO of 1st IRB to check pilferage of LPG, if any.

A top ranking police officer informed The Sangai Express that the matter is being inquired and added that of the 21 LPG carriers which arrived today, 20 have been released from Kangla to report to their respective agencies.

The remaining one is meant for the police Central Motor Transport, added the police officer.