Mizoram Government Orders Fuel Rationing

Aizawl, May 22 : With the fuel stock running out in the wake of the economic blockade in neighboring Manipur, the Mizoram food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department had ordered rationing of diesel and petrol.

Long line of vehicles were seen near pumps in the state capital and elsewhere since yesterday with a large amount of fuel being taken to Manipur, hit hardest by the blockade.

Official sources said while trains carrying fuel from Guwahati failed to reach Ramnagar oil depot in neighboring Assam’s Cachar district, the satellite depot at Mizoram-Assam border town Vairengte also completely dried up.

The opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) slammed the government for not taking steps to ensure fuel security by allowing the oil stock transported unhindered to Manipur without considering the hardships faced by its own people.

The over month-long economic blockade by All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) was along the Dimapur-Imphal-National Highway 39 and Jiribam-Imphal NH 53 since April 11, in protest against the Manipur government’s plans to hold elections to autonomous district councils.