Petrol pumps low on fuel, many queue up outside retail outlets
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 17 2026: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) holding Manipur "hostage" by shutting down the highways has severely affected the supply of fuel.

With the total shutdown stopping vehicular movement, around 600 trucks have been left stranded on the highways including tankers carrying petrol, diesel and petroleum products.

Over 100 tankers carrying petrol, diesel and LPG are stranded at Noney.

Due to the disruption in the supply, some petrol pumps have run out of fuel.

The Malom oil depot has adequate stock of fuel, but there are not enough tankers to carry and supply the fuel to petrol pumps, said sources.

Petrol pumps low on fuel, many queue up outside retail outlets

KIM has been imposing the shutdown on the highway since May 13 .

Notably, on May 13, three Church leaders belonging to Thadou community were killed and five others were injured in an ambush in Kangpokpi district.

Subsequently, dozens of people on both sides, Naga and Kuki community, were then taken hostage.

While some hostages were exchanged later, the whereabouts of the remaining individuals with both sides have not been ascertained yet even as civil bodies of both communities have ramped up call to release all hostages.

While the shutdown, imposed following the incidents, has disrupted supply, sources said it alone is not the reason for some petrol pumps running low on fuel stock.

Usually, loaded tankers after arrival would first report to the Malom depot and are dispatched to retail outlets/petrol to unload fuel.

With many of these tankers now stranded elsewhere, the only option left is for transporters to load the fuel from the Malom depot and supply it to petrol pumps.

However, many of the transporters aren't willing to load fuel from the depot as the charge for loading is considered "too low".

This has added to the problem at petrol pumps, said the sources.

While opening the highway will nonetheless solve the problem and the fuel crunch at petrol pumps, people should not indulge in panic buying as this causes stock at pumps to run out quickly and adds to the woes, added the sources.

Meanwhile, a source with the IOCL said the State has adequate stock of petrol and diesel.

Movement of tankers carrying fuel has been disrupted, but there is adequate stock.

In addition dozens of tankers under security escort are on their way to Imphal from Jiribam.

These tankers have now reached Noney and they may reach Imphal tomorrow (Monday), said the source.

The source also denied that the fuel loading charge at Malom depot is an issue.

The source said the charge is included in the tender.

Even as some retail outlets have shut, and people are forming long queues outside petrol pump stations, the fuel is still available in abundance in roadside stalls.

Many who were standing in long lines outside petrol pump stations accused Kuki groups of "holding the State hostage by blocking its arteries intentionally and frequently" .