Petrol pump dealers in Manipur threaten to shut operations over extortion demands

Petrol pump dealers in Manipur said they will be forced to suspend their operations if the government does not act against extortion demands by this weekend.

Manipur Petroleum Dealers Brotherhood (MPDF), in a statement, said that they are deeply disappointed that the government has not taken any concrete steps regarding their security despite a memorandum in this regard being presented to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on December 10.

Manipur has been under Presidential rule since February after Prime Minister N. Biren Singh resigned amid criticism over his government’s handling of ethnic clashes that broke out in May 2023.

Taking advantage of the ongoing crisis, various militant groups have been targeting local businesses, including petrol pumps, for extortion. So far, hundreds of members of such gangs have been arrested for extortion demands.

In the memorandum, MPDF had requested the Governor’s immediate intervention against what it described as increasing threats to life and property.

“The memorandum regarding persistent bomb threats, extortion and exorbitant illegal demands submitted by the Manipur Petroleum Dealers Brotherhood to the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur on 10/12/2025 has unfortunately not resulted in any positive or concrete action from the State authorities till date,” the statement issued on Sunday, December 22, 2025, said.

“Unfortunately, these threats and unlawful demands continue unabated and pose serious risks to the security of life and property,” the statement said.

Petrol pump dealers are required to sell petroleum products at government-approved fixed rates and, unlike other essential commodities, the retail price of fuel cannot be “artificially inflated” to meet illegal demands, MPDF said.

“Currently, gas pump dealers find themselves in an extremely critical situation where the sustainability and operation of their businesses has become almost impossible. On the one hand, complying with illegal demands exposes dealers to subpoenas and criminal actions by Government authorities, including the threat of invoking the National Security Act (NSA). On the other hand, refusing to comply has resulted in bomb threats and outright threats to life.” he said.

Considering these conditions, it was stated that if the authorities do not take action by December 28, gas pump dealers have no choice but to close their operations.