LPG distributors in the Imphal Valley organised a sit-in demonstration on Thursday as they are feeling the pinch of frequent disturbances along Manipur’s two lifelines, NH 2 and NH 37, coupled with extortion by various militant groups.
Since ethnic violence erupted in the state on May 3, the transportation of LPG gas along NH 2 (Imphal-Dimapur) has been temporarily stopped because of frequent disturbances, especially in Kangpokpi district. But transporters have been importing cooking gas through NH 37 (Imphal-Silchar via Jiribam) to meet the people’s needs.
Since armed miscreants ambushed LPG tankers and oil tankers between Tollen and Santikhunou along NH 37 on April 16, resulting in one person sustaining a bullet injury, tanker drivers have been hesitant to continue their service.
Okram Budhi Singh, one of the distributors, said many of the drivers were still unwilling to ply along the two highways since the attack although the state government provides security convoys for protection.
Singh said that until March, the LPG transporters could supply an adequate amount of cooking gas to consumers. But with increasing incidents of extortion, including for refilled cooking gas, by various groups, the distributors have failed to meet consumer demand.
Singh, however, declined to name outfits engaged in extortion, citing security reasons. He further said the drivers were not willing to risk their lives, adding that irregularity of supply had increased.
Placards that read “please do not impose unbearable demands”, “we can’t sustain our service”, and “no supply from Sekmai Indane gas bottling plant, no home delivery service to customers” were seen at the demonstration in Imphal.
The price of refilled gas on the black market has risen from Rs 2,400 to Rs 2,500 and it is not easily available.
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