Imphal, June 08 2010: Due to the prolonged blockade imposed along the National Highway 39 and NH-53 in Manipr sector by All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), the usual life-style of the people in Manipur has been tremendously affected.

The cooking gas has been replaced with charcoal and fire-wood, the house-wives who regular themselves in the vegetable markets are now constant companions of the kitchen gardens and the swanky car-riders are now good cyclists.

Scarcity of essential commodities in the state capital Imphal has caused the change.

Nearing 60 days of indefinite blockade along the national highways in Manipur, it is the second major blockade in the state completing 58 days today.

The other major blockade was witnessed in the year 2005 which lasted for 52 days.

In both the events, the All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) imposed the blockade along the national highways leading to the state but for different issues.

In protest against the state government decision to hold elections under the present status, the ANSAM had imposed the blockade since April 12 along the national highways in Manipur.

Essential commodities are available in the markets but with higher prices.

Some goods are sold double the normal rates.

The price of a cylinder of cooking gas or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for instance ranges between Rs.800 to 1500 in the black market.

Due to this costly affair, cooking gas has been replaced by fire wood, charcoal and other traditional methods.

A bag of charcoal is sold anywhere between Rs.250 to Rs 500 depending on the sizes of the bags in the market.

The demand for charcoal and fire wood for cooking purposes has tremendously increased in the last one month.

With varying power supply particularly during night time in the state, many people have been using candle sticks, oil lamps, solar lamps and other means of lightings.

Prices of SK-oil and candle sticks shot up due to scarcity which is a product of blockade.

If the blockade continues for the next one month, the situation in Manipur will be in total farce in all fronts.