The Manipur Police announced plans to bolster their anti-extortion efforts to protect traders, contractors, government officials, and petrol pump owners in the state. This decision followed a meeting between senior police officials and the Petroleum Dealers Association in Manipur. Security measures at retail outlets dealing with petroleum products, including petrol pumps, will be reviewed and strengthened.
Additional security steps will be taken, such as screening all employees at these outlets and deploying mobile police teams at key locations to ensure the safety of fuel stations. The focus is on countering threats aimed at petrol pumps, traders, contractors, and government officials through an enhanced anti-extortion mechanism. Recent arrests have been made in connection with extortion cases involving petrol pumps in Manipur.
Petrol pump closures in the Imphal Valley region were prompted by alleged extortion demands and security concerns. A hand grenade found near a petrol pump in Imphal West district escalated tensions, with petrol pump owners claiming it was a threat due to unmet extortion demands. The Petroleum Dealers Association in Manipur strongly denounced these threats and extortion attempts, emphasizing that petrol pumps serve the public and should not be targeted.
