On Govt assurance, tanker drivers call off protest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 02 2017:
All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers' Association has suspended its no steering protest after reaching an agreement with the State Government today.
It may be mentioned the protest came after unknown individuals opened fire and injured two truck drivers at an area between Kangpokpi and Changoubung on National Highway 39 in the morning of April 30 .
According to a source, representatives of the association met Chief Minister N Biren today and reached an agreement.
After the meeting, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Commissioner K Radhakumar and IGP L Kailun visited the drivers who were staging a sit in protest in front of Malom Oil Depot and informed them of the news.
K Radhakumar said that a 24/7 hot-line number (0385-2450214) would be opened at DGP's office and added that all the drivers and handymen wduld be insured and the yearly premium would be borne by the State Government.
The Commissioner assured that if any driver or handymen ever lose their lives in insurgency related incidents, a Government job would be provided to the next of kin as ex-gratia.
Additional security personnel comprising of army personnel, paramilitary forces and State police would be stationed along the National Highways.
Radhakumar further pointed out that the State Government would take up necessary steps to eliminate the inconveniences faced by the drivers during the issue or renewal of license adding that all process regarding issue and renewal of the said license would be completed in two days and an order would be issued to the Transport Department to do the needful.
He assured that the truckers would not face delays and inconveniences from authorities of Assam anymore and conveyed that N Biren spoke with Assam's Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on the phone during the meeting regarding the issue.
Radhakumar appealed to the truckers to call off their protest as the State Government has assured every possible aid and also appealed to the people not to stockpile fuel out of fear and panic regarding shortage.
It can be pointed out that the truckers, aside from staging the sit in protest, had also organised a rally from Malom Oil Depot to Keishampat condemning the incident.
According to All Manipur Petroleum Product Transporters' Association president Laishram Somen, the association decided to call off the protest based on the assurances given by the State Government.
"Fuel distribution from the depot to various retailers will begin from tomorrow but a meeting would be organised to decide when to resume transportation of fuel from outside the State", he added.