Flight rates from Manipur shoot up amid violence

Guwahati: Flyers from Imphal are having a tough time as prices of flight tickets have shot up exorbitantly.

Dr Thongkholal Haokip, an Assistant Professor at the Centre for the Study of Law and Governance at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, tweeted against the raised prices of Indigo flights from Manipur. He displayed that from Imphal to Delhi, the prices were as high as Rs 20,933 on May 6.

Haokip, who hails from Manipur, informed that there was a total shutdown for four days. Curfew was relaxed for a few hours (7-10 am) since May 8 for people to buy groceries.

The violence began in Manipur on May 3 after the All Tribal Students Union Manipur held a solidarity march in all districts opposing the recent Manipur High Court order, which had asked the Manipur government to send a recommendation to the Centre regarding the demand to include the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (STs) list.

As the violence escalated on May 4, the Centre invoked Article 355 of the Constitution, which is a part of emergency provisions. It empowers the Centre to take necessary steps to protect a State against external aggression or internal disturbances.

During this time, the prices of air tickets from Manipur increased exorbitantly.

Business Northeast spoke to officials of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport who informed that prices are not raised from Guwahati. But they are disappointed with the rising prices in Manipur as they believe that “it is merciless”. Guwahati prices are regulated.

Meanwhile, various states nearby called students studying in Manipur back to their homes.

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