Imphal: All petrol pumps across the Manipur Valley and adjoining areas were shut indefinitely on Saturday following a bomb attack at a fuel station in Bishnupur district two days ago, amid ongoing extortion threats.
The shutdown was called by the Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity (MPDF), which demanded enhanced security for fuel outlets and their staff. In a letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the MPDF said that despite prior assurances, petrol pump owners and workers continue to face serious security threats, especially after the January 8 incident — the second such life-threatening attack in a short period, following a bomb threat on December 6, 2025.
The MPDF outlined a three-point charter of demands for resuming operations, including: enhanced security at petrol pumps, full government accountability and compensation in case of damage or injury, and compensation for losses from the Bishnupur fuel station blast.
According to police, unidentified miscreants on a two-wheeler hurled a bomb near a fuel station at Moirang Thana Leikai in Bishnupur district on Thursday night, causing damage but no casualties. CCTV footage is being examined, and police have launched an investigation and search operation. Fuel station staff and local residents staged a sit-in protest following the blast.
Earlier, petrol pump owners in Manipur had threatened shutdowns after extortion threats, including the recovery of a hand grenade from a fuel station toilet at Koirengei in Imphal East district on December 6. The explosive device was reportedly accompanied by a letter warning of dire consequences if demands were not met.
Despite submitting a memorandum to the Governor highlighting frequent bomb threats, extortion attempts, and monetary demands, the MPDF claimed that no action had been taken as of December 22.
In response, the Manipur Police said anti-extortion measures have been strengthened statewide. Senior officials reviewed security arrangements with MPDF representatives, and additional measures include deployment of mobile police teams at strategic locations and vetting of all fuel outlet employees.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home) N. Ashok Kumar noted that an Integrated Anti-Extortion Cell, comprising personnel from Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Assam Rifles, and the Indian Army, was set up on January 26 last year under the Home Department. A 24/7 toll-free helpline is available for citizens to report extortion threats.
In a related development, security forces arrested three militants from Imphal West and East districts in joint operations and recovered locally made arms and ammunition from Churachandpur, Imphal East, and Thoubal districts. The arrested militants, linked to outfits including the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), and People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), were allegedly involved in forcible collection of funds. Electronic devices, Aadhaar cards, and a Maruti Alto car were also seized.
With IANS inputs