Ukhrul killing and concomitant highway bandh
Contingency plan put in place, Ibobi to consult MHA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 02 2014: Taking serious note of the United Naga Council's declaration to ban execution of all national projects in Naga areas of the State and the indefinite bandh on all National Highways and State Highways, Chief Minister O Ibobi left for New Delhi today to discuss the matter with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Meanwhile, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department has announced a contingency plan with a view to ensure unrestricted supply of essential commodities including rice and petroleum products even if there is any prolonged bandh or blockade.

CAF&PD Minister M Okendro made this announcement during a press meet in his office chamber this afternoon after a Cabinet meeting which was presided by Chief Minister O Ibobi.

Chief Minister O Ibobi

M Okendro who is also the Government spokesman said that Chief Minister O Ibobi left for New Delhi soon after the Cabinet meeting to hold a meeting with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the UNC's decision to ban all national projects in Naga areas as well as all vehicular movements along National Highways and State Highways.

The Chief Minister would place a detail report about the activities of the UNC before the Union Home Minister.

Okendro exuded that the State Government would get positive response from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

After the Cabinet meeting, M Okendro convened another meeting with officials of police, IOC, FCI, Sekmai bottling plant and officials of CAF&PD Department.

Claiming that necessary measures have been taken up to ensure unrestricted supply of essential commodities to the public, Okendro appealed to all the people not to indulge in or trigger unnecessary panic buying spree.

In accordance to the State Government's contingency plan, rice and fuel would be distributed to public under a rationing system.

Presently, there is rice stock for 55 days, wheat for 91 days, sugar for nine days, petrol for 15 days, diesel for 17 days, kerosene for 33 days and LPG for six days.

For Imphal West and Imphal East districts, 12 Kls each of petrol and diesel would be distributed everyday at two oil pumps on rotational basis starting from tomorrow.

For other districts, petrol and diesel would be given on every alternate day.

Police personnel in uniform would not be allowed to purchase fuel oils forcibly from oil pumps, stated Okendro adding that people may dial him directly or the police control room if one comes across any police man demanding fuel oils at any oil pump.

For police and press, 6 Kls of petrol would be made available everyday at Tidim Service Station.

Stating that the Government would not allow undue hike in prices of essential commodities on the pretext of any bandh or blockade, the CAF&PD Minister informed that the Government would continue shipping in rice, fuel oils and other essential commodities with central paramilitary escorts.

In accordance to the rationing system, petrol would be distributed at PCTC and Khurai Station, diesel at Imo Filling Station and Porompat Station tomorrow.

Okendro further appealed to all the people to do way with the practice of putting up the whole night before oil pumps as well as purchase of additional quantities of fuel oils for buffer stocking.