Food Crisis Hits Mizoram Days After Assurance From State Food Minister, Airborne Supplies On

The 'economic blockade' is still continuing and this has resulted into creating a severe food scarcity in the state. According to recent reports, the Mizoram government has been bringing food materials by air from different parts of the country to tackle the crisis.

As per the sources, "The state government has been bringing food articles from Kolkata via Silchar to Lengpui.'' Sources also confirmed that the ongoing economic blockade has not only created severe crisis but also severely affecting the day-to-day life of the Mizo people. Apart from the food crisis, fuel scarcity also has been witnessed in the state.

It may be mentioned that earlier on July 30, Mizoram Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs minister K. Lalrinliana said that it is unlikely that there would be any scarcity. Mizoram state government has facilitated the transportation of fuel and other essential commodities from Tripura and Manipur.

Minister K. Lalrinliana said that the state government under such circumstances has begun transporting petrol and diesel from Tripura since Wednesday last. He further added, "Some oil tankers are expected to arrive in the state capital from Tripura by Friday. We will also send seven oil tankers and another four trucks to transport LPG from Tripura's capital Agartala on Friday."

Minister K. Lalrinliana reiterated that the state government has succeeded in reaching an agreement with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) authorities in Tripura for the steady supply of essential commodities like rice into the state of Mizoram. He assured saying that "As of now, we have sufficient rice stocks for at least three months. Other essential commodities are on the way. Tripura-based traders have already entered Mizoram and there would be no dearth."

Notedly, Mizoram was holding negotiations with the Manipur government to facilitate the transportation of LPG and other fuels. Mizoram, which is currently under lockdown due to Covid19 is stated to have no crisis of essential commodities despite the "economic blockade" by the people of Barak Valley. "There is no bandh or blockade in Mizoram and heavy trucks and other vehicles, manned especially by non-tribals are uninterruptedly moving towards Assam non-stop. No vehicles have entered the state from Assam in the past two days" he said.