Imphal (Manipur): Normal life in Manipur was brought to a complete standstill by an economic blockade spearheaded by the All
Naga Students' Association. Simultaneously, the All Tribal Students' Union is
leading a stir in the state. Oil depots have shut shop while the prices of essential
commodities have sky rocketed. Hospitals have shut down due to non-availability
of life-saving drugs and oxygen. At present, a resolution does seem in sight.
"The prices have been hiked very significantly. Earlier one bag of rice cost rupees
670. Now, it has reached rupees 980. As a result I can't afford rice, so, I have
avoided procuring rice. How can I purchase it? How can I sell to those poor villagers
who won't be in a position to purchase it? As the price has hiked very high I'm
not in a position to buy in abundance. So, I am compelled to purchase only a rickshaw
load materials," said Ahanbi Devi, a businesswoman in Imphal. The shortage is
so acute that black marketing of items is rife. "I've been told that now the petrol
is being sold at Rupees150 per litre," said Binota Devi, a housewife. "We are
not satisfied with the government's policies, because they could have arranged
in such a way that every one gets their share. Instead, why have they allowed
the black marketers in," she added. The ANSAM has alleged that the Amendment Act
might deprive ethnic Nagas in Manipur of their cultural identity.
