Assam shutdown triggers panic buying in Nagaland

IOC says no shortage of fuel

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Dec. 13 (EMN):  Amid the heightened protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Assam leading to suspension of most means of transportation, consumers in Nagaland are feeling the immediate pinch even as panicked citizens scrambled to stock up their daily requirements on Friday.

Since the past two-days, fuel outlets in Dimapur have witnessed people rushing to the fuel stations as unofficial news regarding scarcity of fuel, especially because of the situation in Assam. Things came to a difficult situation with long queues being formed, causing traffic jam as more and more people thronged the petrol pumps on Friday.

Even the areas that usually wear a deserted look were seen with long queues, causing traffic snarls. 

Workers at the fuel outlets said that they have been busy attending to the customers with little rest as people continue to pour in to fill their tanks. “People have started panicking like those usual times when Assam goes through a situation, the same old story as to how our people react,” a fuel outlet worker said, partly in jest.

State-level coordinator of IOC, N Kashung told Eastern Mirror that people need not panic as there are sufficient fuel reserve, both diesel and petrol. He said the ‘unofficial news or the situation in Assam’ might have contributed to the hysteria.

“Our Naga people continue to panic even with slightest rumour or any situation taking place in our neighbouring state; and the panic regarding scarcity of fuel is not new. This has happened and is happening with unwarranted rumours and reactions,” Kashung said even as he assured that there will be no shortage of fuel in Dimapur.

No need for alarm, Kohima residents told 

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec. 13 (EMN): Similar scenes were replicated at the state capital, Kohima on Friday even as vehicles lined up in front of various fuel outlets, resulting in traffic jam.

The management of two fuel outlets told Eastern Mirror that ‘there is no need to panic’ and added that more tankers will be arriving with stocks. The two outlets were seen open till afternoon.

However, two other outlets had to shut down even as they ran out of stock on Friday.

According to a driver, he was able to acquire three litre4 of petrol after paying INR 380 (INR 126.6 per litre) from a private fuel outlet.

The deputy commissioner of Kohima, Thejawelie Gregory told this newspaper that there is enough stock, and every fuel outlet has reserved stock for emergencies.

Meanwhile, in a press release issued on Friday, the deputy commissioner of Kohima asserted that there is no shortage of fuel and other essential commodities in the district and informed the public not to resort to panic buying and hoarding of fuels and other essential commodities.

It also stated that to avoid long queue and traffic jam in the petrol pumps, restriction has been imposed for filling of fuels in galloons and other containers, except in the vehicles.

The district administration along with Kohima Municipal Council is constantly monitoring the availability of fuel and other essential commodities in the district, it stated.