Security escorts take trucks on NH-53
Vehicle owners rise in anger against non-distribution of petrol and diesel
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 25 2010: Angry over not opening the oil pumps despite having fuel in stock, a large number of people today took out a protest rally near the Chief Minister's bungalow even as the government assured of distributing the petroleum products tomorrow (Wednesday).

On the other hand, over 340 empty trucks including oil tankers left Imphal for Silchar today on the NH-53 with security escorts for procuring essential items and petroleum products.

The security convoy escorting the empty trucks will escort back loaded trucks now stranded at Silchar (Assam) and Jiribam.

Over 100 trucks are on the way to Imphal at Jiribam waiting for security escorts, official source said.

Trucks being lined up at Khumbong bazar

With the hope that petrol and diesel will be distributed to the oil filling stations, hundreds of vehicles were in queue from yesterday evening on the road at every station for buying the same.

Officials at the oil filling station said that even though petrol, diesel and kerosene were allotted to them, government is not issued permission to them to distribute.

Stocks of the petroleum in the government oil depot replenished with the recent arrival of over 100 oil tankers carrying petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG bulk.

Currently, a total of 500 kilolitre of petrol, 1560 kilolitre of diesel, 600 KL of kerosene and 256 metric tones of LPG gas are in the government stock, official source said.

The stock position of the petroleum products increased as over 100 oil tankers and bullet (bulk LPG gas) tankers arrived in Imphal on May 23 and 24 last.

However, oil filling stations are not opening or distributing to the people.

Angered by the non-distribution of the petrol and diesel, today owners and drivers of vehicles rushed towards the Chief Minister's bungalow by shouting slogans demanding resignation of Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh alleging malpractice in the public distribution system.

Police on duty nearby the CM bungalow dispersed them before reaching.

Manipur is experiencing vehicle fuel crisis due to prolong economic blockade on the national highways imposed by ANSAM in protest against holding of elections to the district council under the existing Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (3rd Amendment) Act, 2008 .