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Imphal, July 7 : The All Manipur Students Union today said it would carry out raids on the godowns of traders here from tomorrow in a bid to check rising prices of essentials.

Speaking at a news conference today, James Bond Mangang, the president of the student union, said the move was an attempt to bring down prices of essential commodities by checking hoarding by traders.

On July 3, volunteers of the students’ union launched a similar raid on shops and business establishments of the city. However, police picked up four of the volunteers but released them later the same day.

“We seek co-operation from the business community, government authorities, including the police. If our volunteers are arrested again by the police, such action could invite a public uproar because our campaign is in the interest of the people of Manipur,” Mangang said.

The union’s announcement came in the wake of soaring prices of essential commodities, a trend that gained momentum during the 69-day economic blockade imposed by the All Naga Students Association, Manipur.

While traders and officials in the state food and civil supplies department claimed that price rise could not be checked because normal supply of commodities was yet to resume, citizens and civil society organisations put the blame for the phenomenon on government inaction and hoarding by businessmen.

“The economic blockade was lifted on June 18. Goods started coming (to Imphal) even before the blockade was lifted through the Imphal-Jiribam highway with security escorts. The prices should have come down by now. But this has not happened. So, something is wrong and the people are suffering. We believe it is because of hoarding (by traders) that prices have remained high. This should be checked,” Mangang said.

The decision to carry out the raids came a day after a student delegation, including leaders of All Assam Manipuri Students Union, Northeast Manipuri Students Organisation and United Committee Manipur, met chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh to discuss the problem of transportation and price rise.

The chief minister assured the delegation to check prices and also develop the Imphal-Jiribam highway for uninterrupted goods supply and also speed up the construction of the railway line from Jiribam to Imphal.

O. Manindra, the president of Northeast Manipuri Students Organisation, said the chief minister agreed to construct a Manipur Bhawan in Silchar where truckers could put up.

“The chief minister also agreed to a suggestion that a temporary base be set up at a suitable place in Silchar for the truck drivers, who can halt and stay overnight,” Manindro said.

He said truckers plying between Imphal and Guwahati were facing a lot of problems, as they did not have a proper place to rest during the journey.