Imphal, May 20, 2010: Taking into consideration the prolonged total blockade along the National Highways and the prevailing unsettling law and order situation in the wake of the proposed visit of NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has written to the Civil Aviation Ministry to start night landing services at Tulihal Airport at the earliest possible.

As there is no night landing facility at Tulihal Airport, an aircraft transporting petroleum products could not land here today.

On the other hand, talking to The Sangai Express, DGP Y Joykumar has clarified that no definite decision on bringing the stranded trucks and oil tankers from Jiribam through NH-53 has been taken so far.

After reviewing the law and order situation during a joint meeting attended by "the Chief Secretary, DGP, Commissioner Home and officials of Army, Assam Rifles.

CRPF and BSF, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh wrote to the Union Civil Aviation Ministry for clearance to start night landing services at Tulihal Airport, in the face of the current situation.

With the stock of petrol and diesel running low, following imposition, of total economic blockade along the National Highways 39 and 53, airlifting of the petroleum products through requisition of an aircraft from the Indian Air Force has been arranged.

However, as there is no night landing facility at Tulihal Airport, the aircraft could not land here today.

Information received from the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department said that the aircraft would remain stationed at the base of the Indian Air Force at Jorhat tonight and will fly in here tomorrow, with petrol and diesel tankers from Silchar and Guwahati.

Continuing airlifting of essential goods and life saving drugs, consignments of rice, life saving drugs reached Imphal by air cargo of Logistic Post today.

To co-ordinate in airlifting of essential commodities, the Joint Director of the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has been kept stationed at Guwahati from today.

20 metric ton of rice is scheduled to be airlifted from Guwahati tomorrow.