Petrol pumps in Imphal close down following the Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity resolve to close all petrol pumps indefinitely.
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IMPHAL — All the petrol pumps in and around Manipur's state capital Imphal remained closed since early Saturday morning following the Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity (MPDF) resolve to close all petrol pumps indefinitely in the “valley area and its peripherals” starting January 10.
The MPDF’s decision comes in response to a bomb attack at a petrol pump in Bishnupur district on January 8 evening.
In a letter to the Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday, the MPDF expressed grave concern over the bomb attack at the BPCL Petrol Pump Dealer M/s Elidas Fuel Station, Moirang Kumbi Road, in Bishnupur district.
Stating that the January 8 incident was the second instance where a life attempt has been made with bomb threats within a short period of time as after one of the dealers was targeted on December 6 last year, the MPDF in its letter said, “Though the authorities have taken up strict actions/steps towards the safety of the petrol pumps/dealers however we dealers are still facing severe threats as the bomb blast last night.”
The fraternity demanded enhancement of security of the petrol pumps and their dealers, staffs to ensure no bomb blast in future.
It also asked the government to ensure that there is no bomb attack in future, and that in the event of damage to any petrol pump, compensation should be paid.
Maximum monetary compensation should be extended if any dealers or staff gets injured or killed, it stated. The MPDF also demanded compensation for the damage done to Elidas Fuel Station.
In view of the sudden closing of the petrol pumps, some two-wheeler riders were seen buying petrol at INR 140 to INR 150 a litre on Saturday.
On Friday evening, as news spread of the immediate shutdown of all petrol pumps in the valley areas, a large number of people could be seen rushing to the nearest fuel outlets to their vehicles ranging from two wheelers to four wheelers.
It may be mentioned that in a meeting with the state authority last month, the MPDF representatives had highlighted that they have been facing exorbitant monetary demands and persistent threats.
They also threatened to shut down oil pumps after December 28. However, the proposed move was called off temporarily following an understanding between the MPDF and the state government authority.