TODAY -
ATSUM's stir triggers panic buying Petrol price shoots up to Rs 150 a litre
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 16 2014:
People on Sunday made a bee line at fuel stations in Imphal as the agitating tribal student body- All Tribal Students, Union, Manipur (Atsum-ES)- began its indefinite economic blockade on all National Highways in the State even as the rate of petrol per litre soared by Rs 150 in the grey market.
In pursuit of its bunch of demands including clearance of reservation rules, delegation of full powers to Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the hills and conversion of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Manipur campus into a full fledged university, the Emboi Serto led Atsum began the economic blockade from Sunday midnight.
Fearing a new phase of fuel scarcity, panic buying was seen at oil outlets in the capital with people, who have already faced the brunt of prolonged highway stirs earlier, making bee lines there since morning.
Government officials and police monitored the sale of fuel at the fuel pumps.
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Taking advantage of the mad rush coupled with the quick closure of the oil stations, black marketers sold petrol at Rs 150 per litre.
Despite various student and civil organizations' appealing to call off the blockade in view of the ensuing matriculation and standard XII examinations, Atsum asked all transporters not to take any risk during the agitation period.
The stir is purely in Tribal people's interest, Atsum finance secretary Hemang Haokip said and added that tribals' rights and privileges have been denied for too long.
He nevertheless said that the union would think and arrange to take steps if the Government takes the matter seriously and is willing to hold talks.
Warning the State Government not to use force to suppress the agitation, the union said the Government would be held responsible for any untoward incident during the blockade period.
Manipur Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Moirangthem Okendro has already assured normal supply of fuel in the outlets, saying that there is enough stock of petrol and diesel for about 13 days.
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