EMN
Dimapur, August 7
THE district authorities of Dimapur have asked the public in the district to ‘stop panicking unnecessarily at the rumors’ of shortage of essential commodities and energy essentials. The public must stop ‘panicking unnecessarily’ for the reason that every supply line from Assam – including freight and land carriers supplying fuel and domestic essentials – is open and transacting normally. Essential commodities from packaged goods to commuter essentials such as petrol, diesel and kerosene are not only in stock in Dimapur, but supply will continue as normal, it is learned.
All supply lines from Assam state are open and in operation as usual.The government of Assam and Assam state police are ensuring that the lines remain open, Deputy Commissioners Husheli Sema and Superintendent of Police (SP) VZ Angami told Eastern Mirror.
Panic gripped the public,especially in Dimapur and capital town Kohima since August 7 after rumors spread in the capital that the agitations demanding creation of separate states by several Assam-based organizations would affect supplies of essential items into Nagaland for months.
Strangely, the panic started in Kohima and not Dimapur town. Dimapur is the link that connects Nagaland to Assam. The rumors from Kohima “reached Dimapur” on Wednesday and with the same stupefying impact that brought the capital town to a standstill earlier. The panic led to “panic buying” for fuel and domestic essentials in both Dimapur and Kohima.
To rein in the situation, Dimapur’s district administration and police met today with the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industries, Dimapur Municipal Council, Supply department, petrol pump owners and IOC officials.
Deputy Commissioner Husheli Sema has urged the public not to panic. She has also warned fuel dealers, stockers and dealers of domestic essential against hoarding and creation of artificial shortage to affect rise in prices of essentials. Stringent action will be taken against those who violate the order or exploit the situation, the administrator has ordered.
Further, seeking to pour water on the rumors that has now spread like wildfire to other districts in Nagaland, Dimapur’s police authorities have also informed that even on Wednesday at least 24, 000 kiloliters of petrol from Tensukia in Assam reached Dimapur in the morning. Likewise, the freight train that transports petrol, diesel and kerosene delivered its load this morning, as usual.
“There is no shortage, no shortage as such at all. We have been telling them time and again that there is no reason to panic; we have enough stock (of fuel and domestic essentials) and the lines are open,” said SP of Dimapur VZ Angami. He told Eastern Mirror that the agitations in Assam have not affected supply lines.
“Even this morning 24, 00 KL of oil from Tensukia reached (Dimapur). Also, there was 50 train wagons carrying petrol, diesel and kerosene which reached us,” Angami said. He said that the supply lines are “smooth.” The Assam administration is also providing full security and escorts to the transport carriers at least ‘four times’ a day on the Lahorijan-Garampani route, the police official said.
The police official has also assured that administrations of both Nagaland and Assam are in touch with each other and there is ‘absolutely no shortage.’ In fact, even the rail supply lines that ferry fuel and goods have been restored, Angami said. He has requested the Media to ‘pass the message’ to the public that there is no shortage of fuel or essential commodities and supply would continue.
