Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 21:
With the expiry of the deadline set by the NSCN (I-M) to the Assam Oil Depot at Chingmeirong to meet its demand of Rs 50 lakhs yesterday, supplying of petrol and diesel from the oil pumps in Manipur has also been stopped.
Though the fuel is not available at the oil pumps, the same can be procured in black market and the price of petrol has skyrocketed to Rs 65 per litre.
NSCN (I-M), which is currently holding peace parleys and observing ceasefire with the Government of India reportedly served the demand note of Rs 50 lakhs to the Assam Oil depot on July 29.Setting August 20 as the deadline for meeting the demand, the Naga rebel group had also reportedly warned of stopping transportation of petrol and diesel fuel to Manipur in the event of failure to meet the demand.
Following the demand note of the outfit, the oil tankers stopped lifting oil and the people have started feeling its full impact.
According to an official source, the remaining stock of petrol, diesel and kerosene oil at the Chingmeirong Oil Depot would last respectively 11 days, 15 days and 31 days .
60 KL of petrol and 125 Kl of diesel is required everyday on an average in Manipur.
Despite having enough fuel in the stock, people are not getting oil from the pumps as the oil tankers have stopped lifting the same from the depot due to the fear that armed cadres of NSCN (I-M) who are operating in different parts of the State might cause harm to them.
To take stock of the situation, officials of IOC from Delhi and Guwahati arrived at Imphal some days back.
The visiting IOC officials have also held consultation at the level of Chief Minister and FCS Minister to resolve the impasse but so far nothing concrete has been worked out or agreed upon, according to the source.
Chief Secretary of the State had also written a letter to the Union Home Minister on August 19 with the request of holding talks with the NSCN (I-M) to resolve the issue apart from having apprised the interlocutor of the ongoing peace talks K Padmabhaih with the activities of the outfit, and accordingly the Government of India is trying to bring about a solution with the outfit to resolve the issue.