One day into KSDC's blockade...Fuel cartel makes hay
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 25 2013: A day after the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) enforced its 'public blockade' in 'Kuki areas', fuel price has soared dramatically in the grey market as almost all fuel outlets remained closed.

People who were forced to pay Rs 80 to Rs 100 for a litre of petrol in the grey market were not happy with the sudden closure of the fuel outlets even as the KSDC has announced 'public curfew' in Kuki areas on Saturday to boycott Republic Day celebrations.

KSDC leaders said that they would continue the stir unless the Government gives a written assurance to hold political dialogue with the Kuki militant outfits which are signatories to the ongoing Suspension of Operation ( SoO) with the Government.

The KSDC is also demanding a separate Kuki State.

In pursuit of its demand, the KSDC began imposing the 'Quit Kukiland' movement incorporating a series of stirs including indefinite public blockade (road block) in ' Kuki areas' in the State from Thursday evening even as Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has flatly rejected any demand for separate territories for any community.

Petrol being sold in the black (File pic)

Besides paralyzing the ongoing Jiribam-Imphal rail project in some areas in Tamenglong district, the stir also stranded a large number of passenger and goods vehicles at various places along Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Silchar highways, the key supply lines of land-locked Manipur, said KSDC leaders.

KSDC's proposed 'Kuki State' map covers whole of Churachandpur and Chandel districts, Sadar Hills in Senapati and large chunks of territories in Tamenglong and Ukhrul.

"We will continue with our movement unless our primary demand to hold political dialogue with the SoO signatories are complied with by the Government for paving the way to make a separate Kuki State," KSDC's information and publicity secretary George Guite said.

"As a part of our agitation, we have decided to impose public curfew in Kuki areas from 5 am to 6 pm tomorrow to obstruct Republic Day celebrations," he said while appealing to all the people to co-operate with the stir.

KSDC had imposed road block on all State and National Highways passing Kuki-inhabited areas in Manipur for several days off and on from November 17 till December 14 last year.

The agitation was suspended after the Centre officially assured that a political dialogue with the SoO signatories would be initiated though it has not materialized till date.

On Monday KSDC general secretary H Benjamin Mate threatened to initiate a plebiscite for the Kuki people to garner Kuki people's resolution for Kuki State if the Government continues to ignore their long standing demand.