Overview
- Unidentified assailants on a two-wheeler hurled a bomb at the BPCL dealer M/s Elidas Fuel Station on Moirang Kumbi Road on January 8, causing an explosion with no injuries, police said.
- The Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity closed fuel outlets across the valley and adjoining areas from Saturday evening without a set end date, prompting queues and black-market prices reportedly reaching Rs 160 per litre.
- The fraternity demanded stronger security at outlets, government accountability for any future attacks or abductions, and compensation for infrastructure damage and for any injured or killed staff, including relief for the affected Bishnupur station.
- Police registered a case, launched searches and are examining CCTV footage, and they are probing possible extortion links while reporting no arrests in the blast so far.
- The Home Department highlighted an Integrated Anti-Extortion Cell with a 24/7 helpline, and a senior official said the government is ready to meet dealers as separate joint operations recently resulted in militant arrests and weapons recoveries.