Tinsukia economic blockade: Day 4 crisis disrupts supply chains and local businesses

Dibrugarh: The economic blockade, imposed by the Moran community, entered its fourth day, choking vital supply lines while stranding hundreds of trucks carrying fuel and essential goods, along NH-37 and NH-315A, in Assam’s Tinsukia district. With no resolution in sight, commercial activities across the oil and coal-rich region have been grounded to a halt.The blockade, called by the All Moran Students’ Union (AMSU) and six other allied organisations, includes setting up of checkpoints across key transport routes and effectively turning major highways into static parking lots. While movement of essential commodities and tea have been permitted, the blockade continues to disrupt regional commercial and energy supplies.The community, for long, has been demanding granting of Scheduled Tribe status, which had been promised to them during BJP’s 2014 election campaign, and elevation of the Moran Autonomous Council to the Sixth Schedule status in the Constitution. However, continuous neglect of their demands have forced them to take drastic measures, claim AMSU leaders.While operations at Oil India Limited (OIL) have been severely impacted, concerns mount over a potential humanitarian crisis, with local businesses and residents urging swift govt intervention to break the impasse.