Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, February 13, 2010:
The government of Manipur has requested Nagaland government to resume providing security escort to the oil tankers from Manipur in the Nagaland section of National Highway-39. An official source said today that since February 2 the government of Nagaland, taking responsibility of providing security to oil tankers from Manipur while crossing Nagaland along the NH-39 from Khatkati to Khuzuma, had stopped.
It is pertinent to note that Nagaland police had earlier provided security three days in a week to the oil tankers from Manipur.
On Saturday, chief secretary of Manipur DS Poonia distpatched a missive to his Nagaland counterpart Lalthara to resume providing security to the oil tankers.
The move of the Manipur chief secretary came after the authority of the Indian Oil Company in Imphal apprised the former of the difficulties in transporting petroleum products by the transporters.
It is worth noting that the indfefinite economic blockade called by Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) has coincided with the stoppage of providing security to the Manipur oil tankers.
The SDSA's agitation has been incurring immense difficulties to the general public in the state as there has been shortage of essential commodities.
The SDSA has been demanding from the state government to improve the deplorable condition of the NH-39 which is the lifeline of Manipur.