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| Vehicles queue up for petrol in Imphal. File picture |
Imphal, July 12 : Volunteers of the All Manipur Anti-Drugs Association today took out a procession in Imphal, demanding the constitution of a committee to fix prices, after holding street-corner meetings as part of its “Campaign for Survival” since July 7.
The NGO, fighting against drug abuse and alcoholism, also submitted a memorandum to chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, demanding the improvement of the Imphal-Jiribam highway.
The chief minister is under increasing pressure to control the prices of essential commodities.
The prices have continued to rise even after the All-Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), lifted the economic blockade on the state’s two lifelines nearly a month ago.
Truckers are avoiding the Imphal-Dimapur highway fearing more extortion by militant groups.
The transporters using the Imphal-Jiribam highway cannot restore normal supply because of the deplorable condition of roads along the 22km stretch.
In the memorandum, the NGO demanded that a long-term plan should be chalked out to prevent traders from fixing prices of commodities at will.
It also asked that the Imphal-Jiribam road should be made the permanent lifeline of the state, with the deployment of state forces on the highway, along with road patrols.
Moreover, government representatives should meet the chiefs of villages residing along the Imphal-Jiribam highway to prevent untoward incidents.
“Because of lack of price control, the traders are fixing prices of the commodities according to their wishes. So a price control body should be in place,” said L. Rameshore, a member of the Consumers Redressal and Dispute Forum, Chandel and Thoubal.
“If the prices that rose during the blockade are not brought down, the people may go up in arms,” said Phoni Meitei, the secretary general of the NGO.
The price rise and scarcity of commodities has started snowballing into a law and order problem.
The police yesterday arrested four activists of the All Manipur Students Union who had seized rice from two vehicles while the commodities were being transported from Ukhrul to Imphal and were selling it at cheaper prices.
Amsu volunteers were released later.
However, the students’ union vowed to continue such drives.