Imphal, July 10: About 50 fuel stations in Imphal were shut down Tuesday following the setting on fire of two filling stations by suspected militants, obviously over a huge monetary demand but the fires were doused before they could spread and cause major damages.
At about 11 pm last night, suspected militants instantaneously torched Ibochouba Services Station at Kakwa and Imo Filling Station, Singjamei Chingamathak in Imphal but the fires did not cause major damages to the two filling stations as they were put out timely.
Meanwhile, sit-ins were staged at the Ibuchouba Services Station by members of Singjamei Makha Kakwa Asem Leikai Nupi Lup, and Imo Filling Stations by members of Youth Welfare Organization, Chingamathak and local meira paibis to protest the fire incidents on Tuesday.
The demonstrators held placards reading, “We condemn burning of oil pumps,” Don’t let local residents suffer” and “Please don’t burn petrol pumps.” As the fuel stations are located close to residents such act of burning will result in heavy casualty if the oil tanks explode, one of the woman protester cautioned.
The two filling stations have already remained closed since July 5 after three Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) groups—KCP City Meitei, KCP Lamphel and KCP MTF— allegedly served a demand note of Rs 10 lakh to them, sources informed.
Two different FIRs have been registered at Singjamei Police Station and Imphal Police Station respectively regarding the monetary demand, according to police sources.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/oil-depots-closed-down/
