Manipur faces petrol shortage as dealers strike over bomb threats

Imphal: Manipur faced artificial petrol scarcity on Saturday due to a one-day strike by the Manipur petroleum dealers fraternity, protesting bomb threats. The strike led to pump closures and black market sales at exorbitant prices.

Petrol pump owners in Manipur closed their stations on Saturday, December 13, 2025, after receiving bomb threats and illegal donation demands from insurgents and anti-social elements.

The closure followed the discovery of a hand grenade inside the restroom of Ibudhou Pakhangba Filling Station at Keikol, Koirengei Road, in Imphal East district on December 6, 2025. The explosive was found concealed along with a letter threatening dire consequences if unspecified demands were not met.

During the temporary strike, a banner at the oil pump read: “Strongly condemn bomb threats to petrol pumps for the public,” “Please stop extremely exorbitant and unbearable donation/demands,” “We sell government-fixed-rate products; we cannot sell beyond MRP to pay illegal taxes or demands like other essential items in Manipur,” and “Do not suppress or bankrupt petrol pump entrepreneurs for public service.”

The Manipur petroleum dealers fraternity and fuel retailers, including IndianOil, HP, Assam Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Goal Bio Oil, and Nayara Energy, condemned the threats and demands. They stated that petrol pumps are public service enterprises and should not be targeted under any circumstances.

Meanwhile, petrol was sold at high, unregulated prices in the black market during the temporary strike, reportedly at Rs 170 per litre in Imphal on Saturday.