Imphal, July 25 2010: In view of the persistent crisis of shortage of essential commodities including petroleum products in Manipur even after the highway blockade has been lifted, fuel and rice will be brought in from Dimapur along NH-39 tomorrow under an arrangement by the Union Home Ministry.

A well placed source informed The Sangai Express that rice and fuel would be brought to Imphal along NH 39 with security escorts from Dimapur tomorrow as the first trip of a special arrangement made by the Home Ministry aimed at ameliorating the prevailing crisis.

However, DGP Y Joykumar said that no information has been received as yet about the Home Ministry's arrangement to bring oil tankers and loaded trucks with security escorts along the Imphal-Dimapur stretch of NH-39 .

Notably, the Home Ministry has already deployed five companies of CRPF along the Imphal-Dimapur road at different points to neutralise blockades and ensure free movement of vehicles.

However, with the transporters determined not to take NH-39, the Home Ministry informed the State Government about its intention to withdraw the security forces from NH-39 if there is no vehicular movement along this stretch of NH-39 .

The security forces are still there on NH-39 at the request of the State Government.

Another source informed that the State Government would be facing certain difficulties for some period on account of the deplorable condition of Imphal-Jiribam highway and the inefficiency of Silchar FCI godown to handle loading of a large number of trucks at one time.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Transporters' and Drivers' Council has made final warning to all transporters taking Imphal-Dimapur road.

It also asked all traders based at Kanglatongbi and Charhajar to stop bringing goods to Imphal after bring brought from Dimapur by switching vehicles.

On the other hand, goods laden trucks coming to Imphal from Jiribam have reached Nungba and are expected to arrive here tomorrow provided there is no impediments on the way.

Saying that trucks would be leaving for Jiribam on July 27, the TDC informed truck drivers to load shingles and boulders from Langjing tomorrow.

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