Manipur Traders Misusing Manipur Blockade

New Delhi, Aug 25 : There was shortage of goods of daily use in Manipur not due to blockade but because of other factors like rains and refusal of truck operators and the involvement of local traders in hoarding and black marketing taking advantage of shortage in some essential commodities, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Answering questions on the effect of blockade of Manipur for 68 days by the Naga students, Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran said in written replies that the shortage continued in the state even after lifting of economic blockade on National Highways 39 and 53 due to decision of transporters and drivers council not to drive the tankers and trucks through Nagaland on NH 39 unless the route was fully secured. The supplies have been affected due to onset of rains leading to frequent landslides on the way.

He conceded that the United Naga Council had begun another economic blockade since August 4 for 20 days alleging lackadaisical attitude towards judicial inquiry into the death of two Naga youths at Mao Gate.

Presently the convoys of trucks and tankers were being escorted to maintain supplies of essential commodities to the state on a daily basis.

The Government had made an additional provision of Rs 10 crore to repair the rain damaged portions of Highways. The Manipur Government had withdrawn the rationing of petroleum products in view of improved supply by the tankers.