As Assam continues to burn over passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), the situation has provoked panic-buying in Nagaland amid rumours of shortage of fuel supply and essential commodities.
The commercial hub- Dimapur and the state capital- Kohima including districts like Mokokchung and Zunheboto witnessed sudden surge in sales of fuel as people were seen making bee line outside fuel outlets.
In Dimapur, most of the fuel outlets ran out of daily stock and had to shut down by afternoon. Police personnel were also seen monitoring the situation in some outlets, in order to prevent people from buying fuel in jerrycans.
Denizens in the state capital also resorted to panic buying as hundreds of vehicles were seen lined-up outside fuel outlets.
By afternoon, most of the outlets in Kohima had to close down as it ran out of stock.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, Kohima District Petroleum Dealers’ Association president Jabou Sekhose said there was no need to worry as there was enough stock.
However, due to panic buying, he said stocks ran out for the day. Jabou informed that the oil tankers would be reaching Kohima by December 13 night and the outlets would be ready with stock after the 6-hour bandh on December 14.
Zunheboto town also witnessed heavy rush of vehicles at lone fuel outlet, which later had to be closed early due to shortage of fuel.
Zunheboto Town Council (ZTC) administrator and ADC, Hito Sema, confirmed to Nagaland Post that the only petrol pump in the town had to be shut down by 10 a.m. as it ran out of fuel.
He, however, informed that oil tankers were on its way and was hopeful that the petrol pump will resume service.
Hito also said the district has enough stock of essential commodities. However, he admitted that if the situation persists then the town may run out of vegetables and other perishable items in the next 2-3 days.
Zunheboto Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ZCCI) president, Shikahoto Jakha, also confirmed about shortage of fuel in Zunheboto, but added that there was enough stock of other essential commodities.
Jakha claimed that the price of essential commodities, vegetables and other perishable items were being monitored and that there was no price rise due to panic buying.
ZCCI president said the all perishable and non- perishable items are procured from Dimapur and though the town has enough stock of perishable items to last for next 2-3 days, restocking will depend on availability of items in Dimapur.
A resident of Zunheboto town also confirmed that the town has faced shortage of both petrol and diesel. However, prices of vegetables and other perishable items have remained the same, claimed the resident.
Mokokchung was also gripped by the panic buying of fuel on Friday as vehicles thronged the outlets. By late afternoon, the daily stock limit of fuel outlets had already dried up.
Though LPG cylinders were out of stock, it was reported that two tankers– one each of petrol and diesel were on their way to Mokokchung and expected to reach the district headquarters by late evening.
The district administration along with the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) also held a meeting to take stock of the situation.
MCCI urged the public not to resort to panic shopping. While stating it was prudent to consume LPG and fuel sparingly given the volatility of the situation, MCCI however said there was no reason to panic as there was sufficient stock of essential commodities and life saving drugs in the market, except perishable items.
Furthermore, MCCI has warned traders to not resort to unethical business practices by taking undue advantage of the situation and also warned of strong action.
KIPHIRE: The two fuel outlets in Kiphire town also had to face panic buyers on Friday. However, the district administration informed that there was sufficient stock of fuel in Kiphire.
The district administration has been monitoring the situation so that there was no shortage.
No shortage of fuel in state: ANPDU
All Nagaland Petroleum Dealers Union (ANPDU), president, Akokla Pongen Lucy Friday allayed fears of fuel shortage in Nagaland.
When Nagaland Post contacted, Lucy informed that the Indian Oil depot at Thahekhu, Dimapur– the only depot for the entire state, has enough stock of diesel which will last for a month and petrol for a week.
Reacting to reports of fuel outlets running out of stock, Lucy clarified that outlets have stock limitation and it has to close once they exhaust the daily stock limit and replenish the next day.
Pointing out that procuring fuel in large quantities by individuals resulted in the shortage, Lucy urged people to desist from doing so. She also assured that the main depot will continue supplying the required amount of fuel to various districts as per the limitation.