Petrol pumps across Manipur’s Imphal valley resumed operations on Tuesday, bringing fuel supply back to normal after a three-day shutdown triggered by security concerns.
The shutdown, observed from January 10, was called by petroleum dealers in protest against a bomb attack at a petrol pump in Bishnupur district on January 8. Although no casualties were reported in the blast, the incident raised serious safety concerns among fuel dealers and staff.
The Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity (MPDF) announced the resumption of operations after receiving assurances from the state government regarding security. The decision followed a meeting between MPDF representatives and senior government officials.
According to the MPDF, the fraternity had placed three key demands before the government: deployment of adequate security at petrol pumps across the state, timely compensation to the families of any dealer or staff member killed or injured in bomb attacks or similar incidents, and compensation for the damage caused to the petrol pump in Bishnupur.
The government, the MPDF said, agreed to provide security at fuel outlets and assured that the compensation demands would be examined in accordance with existing rules and guidelines. A joint committee comprising government officials and MPDF representatives will be formed to assess the extent of property damage, based on which compensation will be determined.
The MPDF stated that the shutdown was enforced purely due to security concerns and not for any commercial reasons.
Meanwhile, police on Tuesday said a militant involved in the Bishnupur petrol pump bomb attack had been arrested by security forces. Following the arrest, other accomplices linked to the incident have been identified, and efforts are underway to apprehend them, police said.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the attack was linked to extortion. However, a day after the incident, the state government advised citizens to report any extortion-related threats received through calls, messages, letters or other means by contacting a designated helpline number.
The government had earlier set up an Integrated Anti-Extortion Cell to tackle such activities. In a statement, the state Home Department urged the public to promptly report incidents and cooperate with authorities to maintain law and order.
