Economic blockade in Manipur enters 86th day

Prices of essentials commodities in Manipur continued to soar as the economic blockade on the state's two vital national highways entered the 86th day today.

While prices of essential items have skyrocketed, supply of petrol, cooking gas and diesel has dwindled despite trucks bringing in supplies twice or thrice a week from Silchar, officials said.

Cooking gas, which normally costs around Rs400, is available at Rs1,650 per cylinder in the black market, while petrol is being sold at Rs200 per litre, they said. 

The blockade on Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar national highways was launched by the United Naga Council (UNC) in protest against the signing of an agreement between the state government and Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC).

SHDDC had demanded upgrading of Kuki-majority Sadar Hills area in Naga-majority Senapati district into a full-fledged district.

The Kuki body had ended its 94-day blockade on the highways on October 31 following the state government's assurance that Sadar Hills will be converted into a revenue district after getting the report of the district reorganisation committee headed by Chief Secretary DS Poonia.

UNC had launched the economic blockade on August 21 on the ground that it should be consulted before the government takes any decision.