Manipur Oil pumps reopen after strike over monetary demands

IMPHAL — Oil pumps in Manipur’s valley districts reopened on Sunday after being closed for the previous two days to protest difficulties faced by oil pump dealers as a result of unsustainable monetary demands from various organisations and groups.

The decision to open the oil pumps/outlets was made after several discussions with various entities, including the state’s chief secretary and oil marketing companies, according to a representative of retail oil dealers.

During their discussion, the retail outlets urged officials of oil marketing companies for a more convenient credit facility. They highlighted their grievances, including the issue of illegal tax collection on highways, difficulties regarding sales, and pressure from banks pertaining to loans.

During their meeting with the chief secretary on Friday, the oil dealers urged the state official to waive interest on loans and increase the tenure on equated monthly instalments (EMI). They also requested a 14-day window period to reduce oil prices instead of changing them overnight.

Furthermore, they drew the attention of the authorities to the issue of organisations demanding monetary payments from the oil pumps/outlets and requested proper security measures.

Even though the demands of dealers have yet to be met, the decision to reopen the oil pumps was made in the interests of people after hearing the appeals of organisations and seeing the positive developments in their discussions, according to oil dealer representatives.

Nonetheless, the dealers conveyed that they would resume the strike if they face further pressure.

The oil pumps in the valley districts of the state, including the state capital, have remained closed for the last two days, displaying a “Notice to the Public” since Friday.

This notice cited financial crisis and unsustainable donation demands by various organisations as the reasons for the closure.