Economic blockade in Manipur, prices of commodities go up

The indefinite economic blockade demanding conversion of Sadar Hills into a full-fledged district has led to steep increase in prices of essential commodities in Manipur, official reports said.

The blockade by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) since August 1 has led petrol to be sold at Rs 120 per litre in the black market instead of Rs62, while the prices of vegetables have also gone up, the reports said.

Trucks loaded with essential commodities were stranded at the Mao gate border between Nagaland and Manipur and at Khatkhati in Assam.

The state cabinet met twice last week to discuss the issue, which has been opposed by several Naga organisations since Sadar hills, a Kuki-dominated area in Senapati district, also included some Naga-settled areas.

Official sources said no hasty decision could be taken because Sadar hills was inhabited by many ethnic tribes although it was a Kuki-majority area.

All opinions would be sought before the area was converted into a district, they said.