Panic buying of fuel erupted across several districts of Manipur on Friday, as petrol pump owners declared an indefinite strike starting Saturday. The drastic decision comes in the wake of repeated attacks on fuel outlets, with the latest being a bomb blast at a pump in Bishnupur district on Thursday evening.
Security Fears Trigger Indefinite Shutdown
The Manipur petroleum dealers' fraternity held an emergency meeting on Friday, expressing grave concern over the deteriorating security situation. In a representation to the Governor, they highlighted that the Thursday evening attack was the second such life-threatening incident in a short span, recalling a similar bomb threat against another station on December 6.
Frustrated by the lack of safety, the dealers presented a set of non-negotiable demands:
- Enhanced security deployment at all petrol pumps.
- Government accountability for future incidents like blasts or kidnappings.
- Compensation for damages to infrastructure and monetary relief for injuries or loss of life of dealers and staff.
Declaring normal business operations impossible under the current circumstances, the fraternity announced a unanimous decision to shut down all petrol pumps in the Imphal valley and peripheral areas indefinitely from Saturday until their demands are met.
Public Inconvenience and Emergency Service Woes
Anticipating the shutdown, residents rushed to fuel stations, leading to long queues, panic buying, and significant traffic congestion in many areas. This is not the first such protest; on December 13, around 130 petrol pumps across Manipur's valley districts had closed in protest against bomb threats, extortion, and rising monetary demands by suspected militants.
The strike severely impacts essential services. MM Farish, a private ambulance service provider waiting in a long queue, stressed the critical need for fuel pumps to remain operational. "When petrol pumps keep shutting down repeatedly, it becomes a huge problem for us," he said. He appealed for at least limited, fixed operating hours to support emergency services like his, emphasizing that both sectors are part of the same public service ecosystem.
Community Condemns Violence
Meanwhile, in a show of solidarity and protest, the womenfolk of Moirang Thana Leikai, known as Meira Paibis, along with members of the local youth club, staged a sit-in demonstration in front of the petrol station that was attacked. They strongly condemned Thursday's bomb blast, highlighting the growing public anger over the unchecked violence targeting vital infrastructure.
The indefinite strike plunges Manipur into a fresh crisis, underscoring the severe challenges to law, order, and public safety in the state. The onus is now on the authorities to address the dealers' legitimate security concerns and restore normalcy.
