Imphal, June 22: An announcement of an indefinite economic blockade along the state's supply lines by a student organisation has triggered panic buying of petrol and diesel in and around this city.

The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur yesterday announced an indefinite economic blockade from midnight today along the Imphal-Jiribam highway (National Highway 37) and Imphal-Dimapur highway (National Highway 2), the state's two supply lines.

The student organisation has demanded, among others, regularisation of services of teachers appointed on contract and ad hoc basis in the five hill districts. It also called a ban on national projects like railway-line construction work.

"The government's failure to give a positive response to our demands has compelled us to call the indefinite economic blockade and a complete ban on all national projects," Muan Tombing, president of the students' organisation said.

The organisation has sought regularisation of the posts of 268 college lecturers engaged on contract basis and 333 school teachers engaged on ad hoc basis, filling up of posts in the state Assembly secretariat under Scheduled Tribe reservation norms, bifurcation of additional director (hills) from school directorate's office, setting up of Scheduled Tribes Commission and the like.

He said on October 22 last year, chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh had given his assurance to fulfil the demands. In fact a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the students' union and the state government in this regard, he added.

After reading about the blockade announcement in the morning newspapers, people lined up their cars and two-wheelers in front of fuel pumps in and around Imphal city since morning even before the blockade became effective.

By noon or early this afternoon most of the pumps were closed.

"When I went to a pump located at Sagolband in Imphal city around 1pm the pump was closed. The people manning the pump said they ran out of stock as there was panic buying," a government employee said.

Sources said panic buying has become a regular feature in the state as soon as some organisations announced a blockade because of the fear that the government will not be able to ensure regular supply.

Deputy chief minister Gaikhangam appealed to the students' organisation to withdraw the blockade considering the impact it already had on the people.

"The people of Manipur will suffer if supplies of essential commodities stop indefinitely. We can resolve all issues through discussions and dialogues. So we appeal to the students to call off the blockade and talk to us to get their grievances addressed," Gaikhangam told reporters on the sidelines of a function here today.

The deputy chief minister said the supplies department would ensure enough supply of fuel.

Officials of the consumer affairs, food and public distribution appealed to the people not to indulge in panic buying. They said there is enough stock of fuel.