Imphal, June 28: Prices of essential commodities in Imphal have skyrocketed following the indefinite economic blockade called by ANSAM and KSO on separate demands along the two National Highways.

While some traders attribute the sudden price hike to economic blockade that came into force since the midnight of June 19, others said that it is due to increase of illegal collection of goods tax along NH-39.Whatever may be the case, the prices of essential commodities, mostly edible items, have escalated leaving no option to the hapless consumers but to shell out the �distorted rate� to fill their stomach.

A whirlwind survey conducted by The Sangai Express at some of the popular grocery outlets at Imphal today confirmed the soaring prices of some edible items.

One kg of Onion which used to cost only Rs 12 earlier is now being sold at Rs 17 per kg, and what is more is this item is running out of stock in most of the godowns of the big dealers.

The price of rice per kg has also reached Rs 30, Rs 55 for mustard oil per tin, Rs 300 for sugar per bag, Rs 12 for Potato per kg, etc.

Prices of certain species of fish transported from outside the State have also increased considerably with Rahu running out of stock at all the fish stalls.

ANSAM has imposed indefinite blockade along the National Highways in protest against the declaration of June 18 as State Integrity Day by the Government while KSO is demanding that the Govt act on the findings of the probe report on the killing of three Kuki students by Imphal East Police Commandos in an alleged staged encounter.

All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has also thrown its weight behind the cause of the two agitating students' bodies.

Meanwhile, 77 Imphal-bound goods laden trucks are stranded near Mao Gate since the imposition of the blockade.

When contacted, Senapati SP Chandrmani Singh informed The Sangai Express that so far there has been no explicit arrangement to escort the stranded trucks to Imphal.

Patrolling along National Highway 39 both by the State and central forces within the district to foil attempts by blockade supporters to cause harm to these trucks are being carried out, the police officer added.