Closure of fuel outlets begins
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 16 2024:
Fuel retail outlets in the valley districts of the state suspended service from Friday as a part of the three-day protest against unbearable monetary demands from various quarters including armed miscreants and organisations.
The decision to suspend operation of fuel outlets was adopted during a meeting held at Hotel Nirmala, Thangal Keithel, here, on Thursday.
The meeting attended by representatives from different retail outlets discussed the demands made to retail outlets from various quarters.
Following the decision, all fuel retail outlets in the valley districts remain closed on the first day of the agitation on Friday, consequently creating apprehension among the people about artificial shortage of petroleum products.
The retails outlets operate under under the aegis of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Essar and Nayara Energy.
According to reports, the pump shutdown agitation is to highlight myriad problems including monetary demands by miscreants, abduction of staff of retailers, intimidation by the armed men to close the outlets, inability to purchase fresh stock of fuel and repay debt and EMI to oil companies and banks.
It is said that the state's fuel market has shrunk dramatically due to the violent conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023, declining daily sales.
The prices of petrol and diesel have riseri to Rs 101 and Rs 87 respectively at present market.
It was Rs 60 per litre and Rs 55 per litre in 2017 .