IAF Airlifts Fuel Tankers To Manipur As Economic Blockade Continues For The Third Month

The Indian Air Force (IAF), using its mighty C-17 Globemaster, airlifted six oil tankers containing 96,000 litres of fuel to India’s northeastern state of Manipur. C-17 is IAF’s largest military transport aircraft

Fuel was airlifted after Indian Oil Corporation informed that the state was left with less than two days' fuel. The state has been battling a Naga Council imposed economic blockade for the past two-and-a-half-months.

The economic blockade imposed on two of the lifeline national highways of the state has enter its third month. United Naga Council, an umbrella group of Nagas, had been imposing an economic blockade on National Highways (NHs) 2 and 37 since 1 November protesting against the state government’s decision to create seven new districts.

Due to the blockade, goods-carrying vehicles are unable to enter state’s Imphal Valley, resulting in an extreme crisis of essential commodities, including fuel and medicines.

With inputs from IANS