Imphal, May 09 2010: Even though prices of the essential commodities hiked up in valley areas, with the efforts of the NGOs and civil organisations, there was no mark increased in the items in hill areas.

However, scarcity of both fooding items and petroleum products were experiencing in both the valley and hill districts, according to the reports compiled by the Hueiyen Lanpao.

Reports from Senapati district headquarters said that there were no marked increases in the prices of the essential commodities but people are facing problems in buying day to day essential items as most of the shops remained closed.

However, people are facing non-availability of petroleum products like petrol, diesel and cooking gas in the district, the report added.

In Ukhrul district, due to intensified campaigns by many NGOs and civil societies, prices of the essential commodities were not increased in the local markets.

Rice is sold at the rate of Rs 17 per kg.

NGOs supporting to Muivah's visit were also conducting campaign on their next course of action against the government restriction to the entry of Muivah in the state, the report from Ukhrul said.

Tamenglong district has faced food scarcity.

Many civil organisations based in the district are seen taken up steps to ensure availability of rice and other essential items, our district correspondent informed.

In Churachandpur and Chandel districts, except the problems of non-availability of petroleum products, there is no reflection of scarcity of rice and other essential items, reports from the district headquarters said.

Artificial price hiked is facing by the people in the valley areas as businessmen hiked up the prices taking advantage of the prolong economic blockade on the national highways by the ANSAM coincided with the brewing up tension at Mao gate which resulted in the total stoppage of movement of Imphal bound vehicles from Nagaland side.