Indo-Burma border closure pushes up price of commodities

The prices of essential items like candles, washing powder, soaps, pulses and even rice, which are imported from Burma through the border town of Moreh have soared according to locals and traders.

Even commodities least in demand such as candles, which cost Rupees 130 normally has increased to Rupees 145, said a local resident adding that the stock are running out fast.

Indian authorities on May 25 sealed the Indo-Burma border following continued unrest in the border town of Moreh and a bandh called by auto-drivers in the town.

On May 23, auto-drivers in Moreh town called an indefinite bandh in the town and the surrounding area, to protest against excessive monetary demands by rebel outfits operating in the border areas.

Besides the bandh, the situation worsened when the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur on May 24 called a state-wide bandh protesting against the government's failure to implement the long pending demands which were agreed to by the Manipur government.

The state-wide bandh was called following a four-day economic blockade of National Highways 39 and 53, including the Indo-Burma route, by the ATSU.

In the given situation, locals said, supplies of essential commodity are running out and prices are rising. The price of potatoes, which was Rs. 10 per kilogram before the blockade rose to Rs. 15 in the local markets. The cost of a tin of refined oil has increased from Rs. 40 to Rs 50.

The situation deteriorated further following reports that supporters of the blockade seized goods and commodities brought from the border town of Moreh to Imphal, the capital of Manipur.

Sources: MIZZIMA