Petrol pumps across the Imphal valley and peripheral areas remained shut on Saturday following a call by the Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity (MPDF) after a bomb threat at a filling station, throwing normal life into further disarray amid the ongoing crisis in the state.
The shutdown comes in the wake of a serious security incident on December 6, when a hand grenade, concealed with a threatening letter, was found inside the toilet of M/s Ibudhou Pakhangba Filling Station at Keikol along Koirengei Road.
The letter reportedly warned of dire consequences if monetary demands were not met.
Citing grave risks to public safety and petrol pump staff, the MPDF announced a complete closure of all retail fuel outlets on December 13. Dealers pointed out that they have been facing repeated threats, kidnapping of staff, and exorbitant illegal demands, making it impossible to operate safely.
The closure has also exposed a worrying trend: petrol is now being sold openly in the black market, right in front of shuttered fuel stations and along roadsides, at rates as high as Rs. 190 per litre, compared to the official pump price of around Rs. 100 per litre.
Fuel is being sold in bottles and containers, raising serious safety and law-and-order concerns.
In its statement, the MPDF highlighted that petroleum retail is an essential service, contributes crores of rupees in VAT revenue to the state every month, and provides employment to thousands directly and indirectly.
Unlike other businesses, dealers said they cannot adjust prices to absorb illegal demands, as fuel must be sold strictly at government-fixed rates.
The fraternity warned that if bomb threats and extreme monetary demands continue, petrol pumps may be forced into an indefinite collective shutdown. It appealed to the government to urgently intervene, stressing that such threats not only endanger dealers and consumers but also undermine state revenue and public safety.
Notably, petrol pumps had also remained closed two days earlier due to a general strike, compounding fuel scarcity for the public.
