IMPHAL: Manipur Chemists & Druggists' Association (MCDA) has stated that the state is facing a shortage of life-saving drugs and other medicines which may aggravate further in the coming days if the government fails to provide a safe passage to trucks stranded in parts of Manipur and Assam.
Besides shortage of medicines, Manipur is also facing a steep price hike owing to disruption in supply of essential commodities through NH-39 (Imphal-Dimapur route) by Kuki protesters in Kangpokpi district in the wake of the recent ethnic clashes in the state.
MCDA president RK Rakesh, at a media conference in Imphal on Thursday, said the quick depletion in the stock of drugs is caused by panic buying and trucks getting stranded. At present, 26 trucks carrying drugs are stuck in Manipur and Assam. Stating that Manipur has a large number of diabetics, kidney and heart patients who need life-saving drugs, he said the suspension of internet services by the government has also dealt a big blow in the chain of communication among the chemists, suppliers and medical representatives.
The prices of some vegetables and fruit items in the Imphal market has more than doubled on Friday. The rate of Kashmiri apple is Rs 500/kg and potatoes are being sold for Rs 70-100/kg.
On the other hand, 28 loaded trucks, including fuel tankers and those carrying rice, sugar and pulses, arrived in Imphal through NH-37 (Imphal-Silchar route) with the assistance of the Army and the Assam Rifles (AR) on Thursday afternoon.
Area domination along the route considered as alternative supply route to the state was provided by the Assam Rifles, a source said.