Imphal:
It's nothing short of an emergency for Manipur. The state is facing a severe crisis of everyday items since a highway was blocked in early April.
Under siege since April 11, National Highway 39 - the lifeline to Manipur, is now choked by Naga student organisations demanding greater financial powers to hill districts ahead of the district council elections.
The protest was intensified after NSCN(IM) leader Muivah was denied entry to visit his village in Manipur.
But the blockade has now paralysed the state. Fuel stations have been shut down since weeks and petrol available at Rs 150 a litre in illegal sale, is also running out. Cooking gas outlets have run out of stock and whatever available with hoarders is selling at Rs 1000 a cylinder. Hospitals have also reported a critical shortage of oxygen.
Rice is selling at anywhere between Rs 50 to Rs 100 for a kilogram in the hills. Though the state government has decided to airlift lifesaving drugs and essential commodities, the requirement needs emergency aid.
"I have said earlier, this is the failures to provide security forces. It is the duties of the people in the Home Department," said Erabot Singh, Food and Civil Supplies Minister.