Imphal, November 05 2010: Around 100 trucks carrying fuel and other petroleum products, which have been stranded at Khatkhati following withdrawal of CRPF escort since October 30 last, have started moving for Imphal at around 6 pm today.

The loaded trucks are expected to reach here by noon tomorrow.

With the new development the possibility of providing fuel to the public via the oil pumps from Sunday, just a day ahead of Ningol Chakkouba festival is high.

The stranded trucks and tankers would be escorted by Nagaland police upto Mao and from Mao it would be the responsibility of the State forces to bring them to Imphal safely.

According to State level Co-ordinator of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the State Government has put in its best efforts to bring back the stranded trucks which are expected to reach Imphal latest by noon tomorrow.

With the arrival of these trucks loaded with fuel and petroleum products, public will be able to get fuel from the oil pumps from Sunday.

The problem of shortage of fuel in the oil pumps following withdrawal of escort service by CRPF just ahead of Ningol Chakkouba, the biggest festival in Manipur, was discussed thoroughly by the State Cabinet today afternoon.

Presided over by the Chief Minister, the meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, DGP, State level coordinator of IOC and Commissioner of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution among others.

Taking serious note over shortage of fuel in the State, the meeting resolved that the stranded trucks from Khatkhati should be brought back to Imphal immediately and the DGP was entrusted with the task of arranging escort for these stranded trucks by Nagaland police from Khatkhati to Mao and from Mao to Imphal by State police.

Accordingly, the DGP has tied up with his Nagaland counterpart and movement of the stranded trucks has started from Khatkhati.

Today's Cabinet meeting also discussed selection of the site for construction of the proposed Indira Gandhi National Tribal University.

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