Imphal, Dec. 22: The workers of the gas bottling plant at Sekmai in Imphal West district of Manipur today appealed to the Centre and the state governments to rein in NSCN (I-M) cadres whose threats have forced the LPG supply tankers to suspend services.

The Assam Oil Corporation Contractual Labour Union, Manipur unit, today said because of threats from the NSCN (I-M) cadres, the bulk LPG tankers had suspended services from December 10. The filling of cylinders also stopped with effect from December 16, not only triggering a cooking gas scarcity but also depriving the labourers of their daily earnings.

“We are feeding our families by working here. As we do not have any work after the NSCN (I-M) threat, our families may face starvation,” the labourers said.

The tankers stopped services after cadres of the NSCN (I-M) allegedly turned back several supply tankers from Maram in Senapati district for not paying “tax”.

About 60 bulk gas tankers supply gas for filling cylinders at the Sekmai bottling plant which caters to the entire state. The tankers procure the supply from Numaligarh and Sivasagar in Assam.

The plant has also stopped supplying gas to the retailers. Whatever stock is existing has been kept for emergency services.

Food and civil supplies minister Yumkham Erabot Singh today met senior officials of the plant and assured them that he would take up the matter with the state government and initiate steps to break the impasse.

The workers’ union apprised its head-office in Digboi of the situation.

“We appeal to the government in Imphal and Delhi to intervene and solve the impasse so that we can resume work,” the president of the Imphal chapter of the Assam Oil Corporation Contractual Labour Union, S. Joy Singh and its general secretary Y. Indrajit Singh said in a joint statement today.

The union also appealed to the NSCN (I-M) to allow the tankers to resume services without fear. The union decided to hold a sit-in tomorrow to highlight the plight of the workers.