Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 09:
Imposing of economic blockade along the National-Highway 39 amidst the ravaging natural calamity of floods and landslides has created a perplexing situation for the people with goods carriers heading towards Imphal stranded along the way and businessmen hiking the prices of essential commodities.
While most of the villages in the valley districts, considered to be the rice bowl of the State, have been submerged under flood water and traffic movement along the National Highway 39 considered to be the main lifeline of the State being thrown out of gear due to landslides at various points following incessant rainfall, imposing of economic blockade along Imphal-Dimapur Road has further compounded the difficulties of the people.
According to information received by the press here, over 100 goods laden trucks coming from Dimapur to Imphal have been stranded at Mao Gate following imposition of economic blockade indefinitely on National Highway-39 by the Senapati District Students� Union in pursuance of its demand for giving befitting punishment to the IRB personnel responsible for beating up some people some days earlier.
The Government has not taken up any steps to bring back the stranded goods laden trucks to Imphal, the aggrieved truck drivers lamented.
Meanwhile, taking advantage of the situation, unscrupulous businessmen have hiked the prices of essential commodities in the markets adding to the problems of the common people.
Appeals of some social organisations against hiking the prices of essential goods of daily requirement in view of the prevailing situation in the State have been fallen on deaf ears of the businessmen who seem to be always on the look out for any given opportunities to fleece the public.
The price of 1 Kg of Onion in the market is now Rs 30.