Manna drops from the sky via cargo planes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 17 2010: To meet the requirement of essential commodities, a special cargo flight of the Indian Air Force landed here this evening bringing 3.5 metric tonne of rice.

The same cargo flight would be bringing another 3.5 metric tonne of rice tomorrow morning.

Commissioner of Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution P Vaiphei, who came to receive the consignment at the Airport, has assured that there would be no shortage of food in Manipur.

On the other hand, another special postal cargo flight has reportedly brought 8 metric tonne of live saving drugs to Imphal at around 10.30 am today.

The essential items at Tulihal airport brought by cargo planes

The services of special cargo flight for bringing essential food items and life saving drugs were sought after the transportation of goods to Manipur has been blocked on account of the over one-month total blockade imposed along the National Highways by ANSAM and some other hill-based organisations to oppose the conduct of District Council elections and the unsettling situation prevailing over the proposed visit of NSCN (IM) leader Th Muivah to Manipur.

The special cargo flight of the Indian Air Force coming from Guwahati carrying 3.5 metric tonne of rice comprising 70 bags of 50 kg capacity each landed at Imphal Tulihal Airport here at 5 pm.

Another 3.5 metric tonne of rice was also supposed to be brought by the same cargo flight today but it had to be postponed as it was getting late.

The consignments will be brought here tomorrow morning.

Talking to mediapersons, Commissioner of Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution P Vaiphei, who came to the airport to receive the consignation, assured that public should have no fear over possible food shortage in Manipur.

Cargo flight services have been arranged to bring food items to show that there would be no shortage of food for the people even if there is blockade along the National Highways.

Not just the rice, if necessary other, food items like cereal, potatoes, cooking oil, etc would be brought in cargo flights, he further assured.

The Commissioner explained that the 3.5 metric tonne of rice which was airlifted from Guwahati would not be deposited at the godown but kept in the office complex of DC Imphal West tonight and tomorrow morning the same would be taken to near Samu Makhong of Khwairamband Bazar for open sale.

At noon, there would also be similar open sale at Singjamei Bazar.

In these open sale, the rice would be made available to the people at Rs 15.85 per kg at the rate of 5 kgs per families and the BPL card holders would be given preference.

Similarly, there would also be open sale of the another consignment of 3.5 metric tonne of rice which would arrive here tomorrow at Lamlong Bazar and Palace Gate, the Commissioner added.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Secretariat Home Department has conveyed that movement of vehicles through Silchar-Aizawl-Sinzawl-Churachandpur has started.

On May 15, 4 heavy vehicles, 5 medium vehicles and 6 light vehicles reached Churachandpur transporting 200 cement bags, 28 barrels of diesel and 9 barrels of petrol.

On May 16, 6 heavy vehicles, 7 medium vehicles and 6 light vehicles reached Churachandpur transporting 35 bags of sugar, 48 barrels of diesel and 31 barrels of petrol, the statement said, adding that State Government has stationed senior officers at Aizawl and Silchar to co-ordinate induction of essential commodities through the Silchar-Aizawl-Sinzawl-Churachandpur-Imphal route.

A consignment of live saving drugs/medicines of about 8 metric tonne also reached Imphal today by air cargo of Logistic Post, the statement informed, while reiterating that the State Government is making all co-ordinated efforts to ensure availability of drugs/medicines and other essential commodities in public interest.