IMPHAL: Manipur, already struggling with a long agitation over the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, has now been hit by a steep rise in the prices of essential items.

The Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Silchar highways, key supply routes to the land-locked state, have been blocked by a landslide and a damaged bridge, respectively.

A litre of petrol is selling at Rs 160-190 on the grey market in Imphal , while the prices of onion, potato, pulses and other vegetable items have doubled.

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Flow of essential commodities along the Imphal-Dimapur highway has come to a halt since mid-August after a heavy landslide in Nagaland’s Phesama area blocked the road. Repair work is on.

Owing to the deteriorating condition of a bridge along the Imphal-Silchar highway, transportation of commodities to Manipur along this route has also come to a stop. Engineers of Border Roads Organization (BRO) are currently repairing the bridge.

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The state consumer affairs, food and public distribution department has begun rationing petrol from select outlets in Imphal. People are waiting for five to six hours to procure a few litres of fuel. “Skipping my work, I stood in a long queue today (Tuesday) at a fuel outlet for six hours and finally purchased five litres of petrol,” said Imphal resident Herojit Singh. The government must punish people who are selling adulterated petrol at inflated prices on the grey market, he said.

The All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) has also demanded that the Okram Ibobi Singh government take steps to check the price hike. Leader of CPI and president of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Moirangthem Nara Singh accused the state government of giving traders a free reign to fix the price of their existing stock.

