Imphal, May 08 2010: Prolonging economic blockade and series of bandhs taking place from time to time in Manipur have seriously affected day-to-day affairs of common people affecting mostly the capital city, Imphal.

Prices of essential commodities are escalating at unreachable and unmanageable rates in Imphal.

Traffic in the heart of the city has tremendously reduced owing to sky-rocketing prices of fuel added with non-availability in almost all the filling stations.

Shortage of petrol and diesel is a blow for the office goers and transporters with petrol pricing between Rs.130-150 per litre in black markets while a litre of diesel is sold for Rs.70-100 in the grey market.

The LPG or cooking gas cylinder costs between Rs.900-1200.Many people could not get fuel in some areas due to the shortage of supply.

Inter-state passenger buses plying on the roads were very few and these few transporters charged the fare almost doubled compared to the earlier normal tariff on the ground that the fuel prices has increased.

It is worth mentioning that All Naga Student Association Manipur (ANSAM) with the support of other tribal organizations imposed an indefinite blockade in the state against the Manipur ADC Act, 2008.The United Committee Manipur (UCM) called an indefinite 'total blockade' of transport vehicles from Imphal to hills areas of Manipur since May 6 .

The All Manipur United Club Organisation (AMUCO) has separately called 48 hours from May 6 evening which was curtailed to 24 hours general strike against the proposed visit of Th Muivah, the general secretary of NSCN to Manipur.