Imphal, February 07 2010: Normal flow of traffic on the entire stretch of the NH-39 passing through the state has been disturbed as various agitations on this highway has resulted in the suspension of plying of vehicles on the stretch in the last one week.

Petrol retail outlets also remained closed today citing exhaustion of stock, even as scores of black marketers sprouted up near these retail outlets.

Normal passage of essential commodities from Dimapur and beyond to Manipur remained disturbed for the last one week due to the two-day long chakka bandh followed by economic blockades since January 30 imposed by the Senapati District Students Association on the Imphal-Mao section of the NH-39 .

Vehicular Traffic along the Indo-Myanmar section of the NH-39 also remained disturbed since the suspension of passenger buses and taxi services for the last 10 days or so.

Reports received from the Mao gate said over 70 goods laden trucks arrived coming from Dimapur are stranded at Khuzuma gate of Nagaland owing to the blockade and are waiting for security escorts.

They are likely to be escorted back tomorrow by the state.

On the other hand, petrol pumps in Manipur have closed down as stock dried up.

A report from Khatkati in Assam bordering Dimapur said that all oil tankers destined for Imphal are stranded there due to non arrival of security escort for the last around one week.

The security escort to Manipur oil tankers from Khatkati to Khuzuma gate is to be provided by the Nagaland police but the escort has not arrived for the last around one week which coincided with the commencement of the economic blockade of the SDSA.

However, petrol black marketers are having a field day near the oil filling stations in Imphal area with petrol selling at rates ranging from Rs 50 to 60 per litre.

On the other hand, normal movement of people on the Indo-Myanmar section of the NH-39 continue to be disturbed till today since the suspension of passenger vehicles for the last around two weeks.

The suspension of passenger bus services entered the 11th day today.

They stopped plying on the highway after transport authority prohibited them from transportation of timber products in passenger vehicles.Authorities prohibited transportation of timber products stating that it is unsafe for passengers.

Taxi service on this route remained suspended for the last eight days over the parking space controversy.

They are protesting against the ban on parking on the side of the stretch of the road from Moreh Police Station to Gate no.2 .

Transport authority in border town of Moreh on January 25 last issued an order banning any kinds of transport vehicles on the stretch of the road.

The order also allotted parking space auto-rickshaw and taxi service vehicles at different places.

The taxi service vehicles' associations were not happy with the parking space provided to them which far away from the market place, Namphalong on the Myanmar side.

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