Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, August 06:
Following nearly a week of bandhs and blockades affecting the national highways 39 and 53, petrol, diesel and kerosene stocks in the state have run almost completely dry.
Admitting as much, the depot manger, Chingmeirong Oil Depot, D Deb, disclosed the IFP that only a emergency reserve stock of about 20 kilolitres of petrol and 50 kiloliters of diesel was left at the depot to meet the needs of the security forces.
With stocks running out, oil pumps which were opened intermittently during the last month have been staying closed during the last two weeks.
Petrol and diesel are still available on the black market, though at a hiked rate.
As for the kerosene, the stock is completely nil.
Deb admitted that kerosene stocks at the oil depot had run out last Saturday.
The state level coordinator of petroleum products, RK Mohen, discussing the petroleum situation in the state, blamed the scarcity on the frequent bandhs and blockades on the national highways.
He disclosed that after consultation with the state administration authorities, a convoy of 30 oil tankers has left Imphal for Assam today with a strong escort of MR personnel.
He said the tankers were expected back by Thursday.
The tankers that left included several that have been stranded at Kangpokpi since blockades began.
Some more tankers are also expected to leave Imphal tomorrow.
Asked why petrol, diesel and kerosene were still available on the black market even though stocks run out officially, both Deb and Mohen blamed the concerned authorities for failing to take any action to check the illegal sale of petroleum products in the black market.
This was despite their frequently drawing the attention of the authorities to the matter, they said.
Meanwhile, in another development, it is learnt that the district magistrate, Senapati, has been directed to conduct a fresh enquiry into the January 23 incident in which nine oil tankers were burnt down by unidentified gunmen on NH-39 at Karong, which was the precursor to a prolonged fuel crisis in the state.