Child soldiers in the ranks of PREPAK line for a photo shoot

A closed petrol pump with the No petrol sign in Imphal
IMPHAL, Jul 19 : Thanks to the frequent imposition of bandhs, economic blockades, general strikes coupled with the inability of the State Government to provide security escort during such times to transporters, the fuel stock at the IOC depot is running low and most of the petrol depots remained shut today, with the sign ‘No petrol’ adorning almost all the petrol pumps.
Speaking to The Sangai Express an official of the IOC said that if the State Government is able to provide adequate security escorts to oil tankers, the State will not face any problem of fuel shortage.
Transportation of fuel to the State was badly hit due to the bandhs and blockades that were imposed one after the other as well as the bandh imposed at Dimapur on July 7.
On top of this oil tankers did not take the road because the State Government did not provide adequate security escorts during such days, said the official.
Fuel is transported into the State three days every week because the Government is able to provide security escort for only three days in a week, said the official and added that the days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
During these three days period, on an average a total of 4800 kilolitres of fuel is brought into the State.
According to information received from the IOC the daily need of diesel is about 125 kilolitres and 65 Kl of petrol. This works out to about 875 Kl of diesel and 455 Kl of petrol needed in a week.
Apart from meeting the fuel demand of the public, the IOC too has to meet the need of the State Government’s GAD, Manipur Police and security forces posted in Manipur, which include the Army, BSF, CRPF and BRTF.
Due to the prevailing law and order situation the State Police Department also needs more fuel now, said the official further.
Further, the IOC has to also set aside certain quantity of fuel to meet any emergency.
Since the Government provides security escort only three days in a week, it is well nigh impossible for the IOC to meet the fuel demands of so many, explained the official.
Unless the Government works out a policy to provide security escort more regularly, Manipur will continue to face periodic shortage of fuel, added the official.
At the moment the storage capacity of the tank at the IOC is 1290 Kl for petrol and 3250 for diesel.
To meet the growing demand of the public, the IOC has already approached the Government to provide more land to set up additional storage tanks, said the official further.
Following the proposal of the IOC, the State Government has been trying to acquire land at Patsoi area.
Since the existing storage capacity is low, the IOC cannot keep aside adequate stock of fuel.
Meanwhile about ten loaded oil tankers arrived at the State yesterday and the pumps have been allotted their quota today.
The pumps given their share today include, Kanhai and Sons, Thoubal (6 Kl), Ksh Beikul, Kakching (6 Kl), BB and Co, Sangaiprou (6 Kl), Krishna Premi, Moirangkhom (3 Kl), Kusum oil pump, Konung Mamang (3 Kl), Bakliwal Enterprises, North AOC (4 KL), Porompat (4 Kl), Eastern Agro, Wangkhei (4 Kl), PG Petroleum, Chingmei-rong, (4 Kl), Yumnam Oil, Wabagai (4 Kl), Khurai oil pump (4 Kl), Heirangoi Service Station (12 Kl), Ibochou Service Station, Kakwa (4 Kl), Jas and Gas (4 Kl), Konsam oil, Langthabal (8 Kl), PCTC North AOC (12 Kl), Sorijini, Khangabok (4 Kl), K Nilo, Patsoi (8 Kl) and Highway Petroleum, Tera (4 Kl).

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Womenfolk of Heirok taking out a rally to demand the absorption of SPO to State force

Demand raised to absorb SPO to State force
Heirok rally says no to constituting SPO
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 18 : In yet another development on the unending twist concerning setting up of Special Police Officers’ post in Heirok, people in large number today took out a public rally demanding absorbing the SPOs to State forces and voicing opposition to establishment of SPOs.
A meeting held at the end of the demonstration rally resolved to approach State authorities to relentlessly pursue its objective for absorption of SPO recruits/personnel as members of State forces, revocation of the prohibition imposed upon people of Heirok by Ug groups, immediate and permanent cessation of senseless violence or tar-geting of innocent civilians and to urge the Government to translate into action aspirations and expec-tations of the people.
The protest demonstration assumes significance in the backdrop of 300 youths from within Heirok Assembly Constituency had undergone preliminary physical efficiency test and currently undergoing basic training course on use of arms and related exercises for setting up of SPOs.
The demonstration staged today to highlight proposal of Heirok people for transformation of the recruitment exercise as rigours for enrolment into state forces comes in the backdrop of two outlawed organisations (KYKL/UNLF) prohibiting Heirok people from venturing out of their locales for daring to stand against and oppose the armed movement being waged by underground organisations including the two .
It is worth mentioning that a reported comment by the State DGP on possibility of the SPOs being utilised in counter insurgency operation had evoked strong reaction from various circles including the Heirok JAC that had been spearheading the cause for self protection of people of Heirok.
Following indiscriminate firing by armed activists belonging to the PREPAK organisation at a thabal chongba venue in March this year that claimed three persons on the spot and visually impairing a teenage girl, people of Heirok raised in unison and demanded that State Govern- ment provide them arms to protect themselves which the State authorities responded with the decision to set up SPOs.
Confiding that people of Heirok wants peace and do not intent to trigger animosity with anybody or organi- sations, president of Nupi Khunai Apunba (Heirok) Khundongbam (O) Guna-mani Leima contended that Heirok residents are against the idea of setting up the SPOs particularly after militants have begun to train guns toward them.
The demonstration jointly organised by the Lup, Senior Citizens’ Forum (Heirok) and the JAC formed after the March firing incident began in the afternoon with several cultivators joining the same after tending to their fields as it is the season of paddy plantation.
The rally that commenced from Heirok Part-II Pologround covered Litan makhong, Bamon Leikai, Wapokpi , Heitup-pokpi, kabow Leikai, Heirok Pt-I and back to the starting point where a public meeting was organised.
During the rally the participants carried and displayed placards that opposed setting up of the SPOs, proposing transformation of the SPOs into State forces, flaying civilians being targeted, called for peace and sanity in Heirok areas, existence of meaningful/purposeful revolutionary groups as well as urging the Government to abandon alleged divisive policy.
An apparently agitated rallyist remarked that setting up SPOs do not serve any purpose as such a step had become a stumbling block in their children’s education apart from the parents having to bear financial losses for advance payment of education related fees.
With reference to the 10 day relaxation announced by the UG groups, Gunileima appreciated the gesture and fervently appealed for permanent revocation of the prohibitory proclamation.
president of the Heirok-based women’s body also conveyed that people of Heirok desire to live in a secure and normal environment as everybody else.

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