Manipur Blockades Fuel Severe Food And Fuel Shortage Crisis

Residents of Manipur’s Kangpokpi district are enduring a severe humanitarian crisis as long-standing blockades have halted the supply of essential commodities including food, fuel, and medicine. Local distributors report that stocks of staples such as potatoes, onions, and salt were exhausted weeks ago, with the latest significant disruption dating back to May 13.

The current shortages are exacerbated by a multi-layered ethnic conflict involving the Kuki-Zo, Meitei, and Naga communities. Blockades enforced on routes originating from Dimapur have effectively strangled the logistics network, leaving the Kuki-Zo-majority Kangpokpi region isolated. While intermittent attempts to facilitate movement have been made by district officials, these remain insufficient to sustain the local population’s basic needs.

Inflation in the local black market has skyrocketed, with petrol prices reaching ₹300 per litre and LPG cylinders selling for up to ₹4,000. While the state administration has coordinated limited rice shipments via security convoys, the scarcity continues to threaten food security and healthcare access, forcing critical patients to rely on Army escorts for passage to hospitals outside the district.