Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 13 (EMN): Public of Kohima has been in panic mode, fearing shortage of essential commodities and fuel, ever since the NH-29 landslides that first occurred on May 14 last near Peducha has cut off the lifeline connecting the capital with Dimapur.
Taking advantage of the situation, some traders are creating artificial shortage of essential commodities and escalating the prices, creating panic among the public. Long lines of vehicles are seen at petrol outlets for refuelling.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president, Jabou Sekhose assured that there is no shortage of essential commodities in Kohima town. He said, KCCI is collaborating with the police department to transport the trucks carrying essential commodities, whereby the police are escorting the convoy in the evenings via Peducha-Tsiesema road.
While appealing the public not to panic, Sekhose said KCCI along with KMC is checking to keep the price of essential commodities at par with other times.
He also informed that there is no shortage of fuel either as 7-8 fuel tankers are coming up every day, and that he was in Dimapur oil depots to streamline the tankers coming up to Kohima.
Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) administrator, Kethosituo Sekhose informed that 27 traders in some pockets of Kohima town were caught for illegally escalating the price of essential commodities on Wednesday. Their traders’ license were seized, summoned to the office and penalised.
He appealed the public not to panic while informing that the KMC is trying its best to provide sufficient essential commodities, and its inspectors are checking the escalation of price on a regular basis.
At the same, he has asked the public to report to the KMC if there are any anomalies in the price of commodities. He said KMC will take immediate action on the defaulters.
On the shortage of fuel in the last few days, Sekhose clarified that it is not due to the bad road condition. It is, he said, due to the recalibration of the machine at the IOC depot by the Petroleum Association of Kohima and Dimapur Petrol Pumps Association.
He informed that the team has finished recalibrating the diesel machine on Wednesday, and hopefully in a day or two the recalibration of petrol would be done. Once it is done, he said, things will get back to normal.
Although, DC Kohima has earlier issued an order to store a minimum of 2000-3000 litres at standby at petrol pumps which will be issued through the DC’s office in case of shortages, Sekhose said till now the need has not arose.
