‘False alarm’ of bandh sparks panic buying at gas stations in Dimapur

March 31, 2024 31 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 31

An announcement across social media on Friday by a group called the Northeast India Petroleum Dealers’ Association (NEIPDA) Greater Guwahati Unit declaring a protest closure- ‘no purchase no sale’ of fuel from 5:00 AM March 30 to 5:00 AM April 1 (for 48 hours) prompted confusion and panic-buying in Dimapur leading to long queues at gas stations extending well into the night.

In the press release issued by the association, it cited various issues including non enhancement or revision in the dealer’s commission since 2017 and cost escalation of running retail outlets. Just as it had been announced however, the NEIPDA hastily deferred the bandh post Lok Sabha elections citing the Election commission’s model code of conduct, according to various news outlets.

Clarifying on this, General Secretary of the Petroleum Dealers’ Association (Dimapur, Niuland & Chümoukedima), Pretso Therie informed that no prior information to enforce the bandh was received by their office. As far the state is concerned, he said there exist the Nagaland Petroleum Dealers’ Association (NPDA) to represent all the existing dealers. In case of a scheduled state wide bandh, it would be directly communicated to its affiliating bodies and announced before-hand to the public as well, he added. “Until such necessity arises, we will definitely inform the public in advance,” he said.

Under the three respective districts, Therie highlighted that approximately 54 gas stations have been set up with several more under construction.

Apokla Pongen, President of NPDA, meanwhile, mentioned that the association is a newly formed body that has not been affiliated to the NEIPDA. As to the NEIPDA bandh, she highlighted that the grievances remains the same for the dealers in the state and so direct communication is being maintained with the regional body.