Scarcity of essential items hits Tamenglong
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei
Imphal, September 23 2011:
The prolonged economic blockade and counter blockade has severely affected the people here in Tamenglong.
After series of bandh and general strike imposed in the state, the economic blockade and counter blockade has lead to price hike and along with it scarcity of essential commodities have hit the common people like a two-edged sword.
In an exclusive survey it was found that super fine rice, which is consumed by the majority of people in Tamenglong, was hardly available in the market and if at all available the price has risen from Rs 12 per kg to Rs 18 per kg.
Now the only rice available in the district HQs is Permal for Rs 1300 per 50 kg bag and the poor people are forced to buy the high price rice.
The cost of potatoes has been rise from Rs 15 to Rs 25 per kg, cost of onion is Rs 40 per kg, Mosari dal cost Rs 60 and egg one plate cost
Rs.130 .
Since the economic blockade imposed by Sadar Hills District Demand Committee on NH 53 and 39 no Kerosene (SK) oil has arrived, the poor people has to use candle, charcoal has replaced LPG.
One loaded LPG truck has come once since the economic blockade.
All kerosene dealers' shops were shutdown due to non available at the pump.
Charcoal business is the best business during this prolonged economic blockade.
Now almost all charcoal shops are emptying.
It may also worth mentioning here that no petrol and diesel is available in the open market.
However petrol can be bought in the black market for Rs 120 per litre.
Petrol and diesel have come twice during the blockade.
The traders are also severely hits as the counter blockade continued at Khumbong area in Imphal.
The trucks carrying essential commodities supplies to Tamenglong have been time again off loaded at Khumbong, Imphal by unknown groups.
Destroying of vehicles has been heard since last three weeks.
The public of Tamenglong would like the government to provide security to trucks and passenger bus coming from Imphal to Tamenglong as it is doing to trucks carrying supplies from Jiribam to Imphal.