Imphal, August 29: Reminiscent of the manner in which Ministers and MLAs conducted themselves during the 2005 ANSAM sponsored 52 days economic blockade, this time too, Ministers and MLAs have come to the fore trying to lay their hands on Urea which has become extremely scarce following the heavy landslides in neighbouring Nagaland.

Till yesterday, a total of 52 Urea laden trucks had crossed the sunken portions of NH-39 and out of this 24 had arrived at Kangla.

Throwing to wind the norms wherein the Urea is transported by the dealers and then passed on to the agents for distribution to the public, Ministers ad MLAs have done away with the service of the agents as they themselves made a beeline for Kangla today morning and took away 12 out of the 24 trucks of Urea for their respective constituencies.

A source however clarified that the Ministers and MLAs took away the Urea laden trucks with due agreements with the dealers and the matter was also informed to the Agriculture Minister.

Out of the remaining 12 Urea laden trucks at Kangla, 7 have been despatched to Thoubal district, 4 to Bishnupur and one to Imphal East.

On the other hand some dealers have questioned why only 24 of the 52 trucks which have crossed the sunken zone have arrived at Imphal.

Barring a few trucks which may have broken down on the way, they said it is surprising to see that only 24 of the 52 trucks have arrived at Imphal till date.

Meanwhile more problem appears to be in store as the IRB has decided not to let the Urea laden trucks park inside Kangla.

Once the other trucks arrive finding a place for their safe keeping will be a problem, said the source.

The team led by the AFO of the Agriculture Dept is still at Kohima to over see the movement of the trucks.

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