Imphal, April 16 2010: Despite having enough stock in the government oil depots, many oil retail outlets pumps remained shut for the last some days since the commencement of the six day economic blockades called by the All Naga Students Association Manipur.

Even though these retailers remained shuts, official source from the government oil depot at Sangakpham said that the present stock position of petrol is 991 kilolitre, diesel is 2681 kilolitre which is for consumption of at least 14 days while that of kerosene is 1727 kilolitre.

Petroleum products are procuring with security escorts from Khatkati and other oil stock centres in the state along the NH-39 .

Security escorts were provided on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the week.

However, escorts were suspended on date 14 and 15 last due to holiday.

Around 200 oil tankers are engaging in the procurement of the petroleum products, the official source said.

It may be recalled that due to the imposition of economic blockade on the national highways connecting the state with other parts of the country by ANSAM in protest against the holding of elections to the Autonomous (Hill) Districts Council under the Manipur (Hill) Districts Autonomous Council from April 13 .

The blockade is due to end by midnight tonight (April 17) .

However, considering the prevailing situation which either government review holding the election or ANSAM withdraw its stance, the blockade is likely to extend with intensified form.

Even though government provided security escorts to the trucks transporting essential commodities on the highways, drivers are facing inconveniences due to stoning by the blockade supporters on the highways.

Drivers said that they wanted to bring an end to the blockade instead of provided security escorts as government could not taken up measure to control the blockade supporters effectively.

Meanwhile, a total of 117 trucks loaded with essential commodities stranded at Mao gate, a report received from Mao gate said today.

On the other hand, fearing of damaging the vehicles and getting hurt in the ongoing All Naga Students' Association economic blockade, atleast 102 goods loaded trucks' drivers refused to cross Nagaland border on Friday and all the said trucks are still stranded at Khuzuma, Nagaland inspite of giving security escort by Manipur government, according to official sources.

On the fifth day of the economic blockade, atleast 40 empty oil tankers going to different destinations were escorted till Mao Gate from Imphal by the Manipur Rifles (MR) personnel on Friday, the sources added.

The MR personnel on their return asked the stranded vehicles to come along toward Imphal but they failed to cross the Nagaland-Manipur border due to ANSAM's agitation, it added.

The reason for not accepting the security escort by the truckers is believed to be due to fear of damaging their vehicles and getting hurt while moving along the national highway.

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