Manipur oil retail outlets closure enters second day

IMPHAL — The closure of oil retail outlets in valley districts of Manipur entered second day on Saturday.

A three-day closure of oil retail outlets was called by petrol pump dealers in Imphal during its emergency meeting citing financial crisis and unsustainable donation demands by various organisations. The oil retail outlets in and around Manipur state capital began on from Friday.

“Retail outlets is closed for three days starting from February 16 till February 18 as per collective decision made by All Petrol Dealers’ emergency meeting held on February 15 as a follow up to representation submitted to the chief minister of Manipur and Consumers Affairs & Public Distribution Minister on February 12 and to public on February 11 on the current financial crisis, miseries, grievances faced by the petrol pump dealers,” the notice said.

“We are in no position to face such unconducive environment alone hence, we appeal/ request to government to understand our depleted situation and beg towards the public (though the inconvenience is huge and deeply regretted) to support us in fulfilling our demands/petition to government as we are still part of the society, we all live in today,” it added.

The dealers have requested all sections of the society to understand their predicament and cooperate with them.

In view of the development, petrol is sold at the rate of INR 140 to 150 per litre in black market in Imphal on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Meetei Tribe Union has appealed to oil pump dealers to lift shutdown of the petrol pumps considering the hardships being faced by the public in the state.