Oil depots closed due to economic blockade in Manipur

Imphal, Feb 19: Most of the oil depots in Manipur especially those manned by NRL were closed down due to a shortage of petroleum products on Saturday. The Champhai Block Chief and Chairman Association has imposed an economic blockade on the two National Highways of Manipur from Wednesday night demanding payment of MGNREGA works.

The NRL oil depots were closed down causing immense hardship to people. Due to the economic blockade oil tankers were stranded on the national highway for about three days and the drivers were living on the highways according to people who were working in the NRL oil depots.

Some of the oil depots operated by IOCL were opened but they informed that they were not getting adequate stock due to the blockade. All oil depots may be closed down if the blockade continues it was added. About 250 oil tankers were stranded on the national highways waiting for the end of the blockade to bring the oil. Manipur goes to poll on Feb 28 and Mar 5 and the poll plank of the ruling BJP is the end of bandh and blockade during its rule.