Guwahati : Oil pump owners across the Manipur valley and nearby areas have decided to keep their outlets shut as part of an ongoing protest, citing repeated bomb threats, extortion attempts and what they describe as continued indifference from the State authorities.

In a statement released on Sunday, December 21, the Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity (MPDF) said it was compelled to prolong the shutdown after receiving no response to a memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur on December 10, 2025. The memorandum sought immediate intervention to address growing threats to the safety of dealers and their properties, including repeated bomb scares and demands for large sums of money.

The fraternity said the absence of concrete action despite the seriousness of the situation left dealers with no option but to unanimously intensify their agitation. As a result, fuel outlets will remain closed until the government offers a credible and mutually acceptable solution.

Explaining their position, MPDF leaders pointed out that petrol pump operators act solely as authorised agents of the government. They are mandated to sell fuel at rates fixed by the authorities and have no discretion to alter prices. Dealers also collect Value Added Tax on behalf of the State—Rs 19.56 per litre on petrol, amounting to 25 per cent, and Rs 10.11 per litre on diesel, or 13.5 per cent—which forms a major component of state revenue.

Unlike other essential goods, petroleum prices cannot be raised to absorb illegal levies, leaving dealers exposed to financial losses and operational risks, the fraternity said.

According to the MPDF, dealers now find themselves trapped in an unprecedented crisis. Alleged compliance with unlawful demands invites scrutiny and punitive action from the authorities, including the possibility of harsh measures under laws such as the National Security Act. At the same time, refusal to comply has reportedly led to bomb threats and direct intimidation.

While expressing regret for the inconvenience caused to the public, the fraternity appealed to citizens for patience and support. It described the current situation as a “life-and-death” dilemma for fuel dealers and claimed that official response to their plight has been largely absent.

The MPDF warned that petrol pump closures would continue unless the government provides adequate security, intervenes decisively and ensures a clear resolution. The fraternity urged the State administration to act within the coming week, between December 22 and December 28, 2025, failing which the protest would be sustained.’