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Imphal, July 8 (ANI): The All Manipur Anti Drug Association (AMADA) launched a campaign on Wednesday to put pressure on Manipur government to regulate inflated prices of essential commodities.

The AMADA has sought the setting up of a Price Fixation Committee.

On Wednesday, it launched its campaign with a sit-in protest and a public meeting, in which women vendors of Nagamapal area also participated.

The campaign covered Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts of Manipur.

P Phoni, Secretary of All Manipur Anti Drug Association (AMADA), stated that even though AMADA works for prevention of drug abuse and alcoholism, the current problem of food scarcity and shortage of other commodities is a major concern.

“After the two-month-long economic blockade ended, we were relieved. But there was no visible affect of it on the price rise; prices of commodities have been skyrocketing day by day. This led the AMADA, which has been working to prevent drugs, to start this public movement against price rise,” said P Phoni.

Many local residents reflect that the inability of the State government to control the prices and the free hand given to business is putting essential commodities beyond the reach of common man.

“In the current situation in Manipur, prices have turned exorbitant. Public are suffering a lot. The most affected are poor farmers residing in rural areas. Salaried employees and businessmen may not be affected so much but daily bread-earners are suffering a lot,” said N Ibohanbi Singh, a local resident.

Fuel price rises are expected to push up monthly price inflation by 0.9 percentage points, government officials have said, exacerbating headline inflation that stood at a surprisingly high 10.16 percent in May. (ANI)