Petrol pump closure enters second day, fuel crisis deepens in Manipur

The indefinite shutdown imposed by the petroleum product dealers under the aegis of Manipur Petroleum Dealers’ Fraternity (MPDF) put the state on the brink of a major fuel crisis.
As a result, motorists across the Manipur valley are also facing severe unavailability of petrol and diesel due to an indefinite oil retail outlet closure.
In a bid to resolve the matter, a talk was held earlier on Saturday evening between representatives of the MPDF and officials of the state home department.
The talk was, however, failed to reach an agreement resulting in the continued closure of oil pumps across the valley districts and peripheral areas of the state.
During the meeting held at the office chamber of commissioner (home) in the Secretariat South Block in Imphal, the representatives of MPDF raised concerns over the safety of dealers, staff and infrastructure and asserted that the prevailing security situation had forced them to suspend operations.
The MPDF representatives reportedly demanded a firm assurance of adequate security at petrol pumps to prevent any recurrence of such incidents, along with strict action against those responsible from the state government.
They also demanded that the government take full responsibility in the event of future incidents such as bomb blasts, kidnappings or damage to petrol pump infrastructure.
The fraternity further insisted that the state government must provide adequate compensation if any dealer or staff member of the retail outlets is injured or lost their life during the incidents of attacks on them.
The government must also provide compensation for the damages caused during the recent bomb attack at an oil filling station at Moirang in Bishnupur district, MPDF demanded.
The commissioner (home) and other officials attending the meeting noted the demands raised by the MPDF and assured that the demands would be placed before the Governor, the chief secretary and other pertinent authorities.
It was agreed to resume the talk after receiving a response from the Governor, chief secretary and other concerned authorities, the MPDF representatives said.
Until a positive response comes up, the closure of the petrol pumps will continue, they added.
The MPDF has called for the indefinite closures citing security concerns after the suspected militants set off a bomb at Ms Elidas Oil Pump at Moirang Thana Leikai under Moirang police station in Bishnupur district on January 8 evening.