Fuel outlets in Manipur have stopped giving fuel from Sunday morning after running out of stock. This has triggered a 25-30% hike in the prices of petrol and diesel sold in the black market.
The crisis, though, has more to do with the collapse of a bridge on NH 53 last week at Sadarghat near Silchar in southern Assam than the highway blockade imposed by the United Naga Council and All Naga Students Association Manipur since August 21 against the creation of Sadar Hills district.
"Some 200 oil tankers are stranded near Silchar due to the damage to the bridge. If the bridge is not repaired soon, we will be facing acute scarcity of fuel," a government spokesman said.
People, however, have been queuing their vehicles outside oil outlets in the hope that the government would make some kind of arrangement.
Those not willing to waste time have been buying petrol at Rs 180-240 a litre and diesel at Rs 80-100 per litre from vendors.
LPG prices too have gone up from Rs 2000 to Rs 2200 per cylinder in the black market.
{{/usCountry}}LPG prices too have gone up from Rs 2000 to Rs 2200 per cylinder in the black market.
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