Manipur oil dealers reopen fuel pumps after being shut for 3 days

Petrol pumps in and around Imphal district in Manipur have reopened today after being shut for three days since February 16.

As many as 130 fuel outlets have been shut following unrest in the state and huge extortion demands that has been impacting business.

The fuel retailers decided to reopen the petrol pumps today after Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi requested them to reconsider their decision in view of the hardship faced by the general public and assured to look into their grievances.

Following the assurance from Vineet Joshi, the dealers have held a meeting yesterday and decided to reopen the outlets.

They had earlier told the media that the state’s law-and-order situation had turned the petrol pumps into soft spots or easy targets resulting in various organisations and miscreants coming and demanding huge sum of money from the petrol pump operators. Now the dealers and the employees fear for their lives and property.

Since the unrest began on May 3, 2023, most of the petrol pumps have been paying the organizations money they have been demanding, but their demands have now become so high that they are unable to pay, some of the dealers said.

Also Read: Manipur oil dealers’ meet today to decide on reopening fuel pumps