TT drivers caught while siphoning off fuel
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 02 2020:
Drivers of five tanker trucks were caught by security personnel while siphoning off fuel from the tankers at Khatkhati, Assam last night.
There have been reports of inferno breaking out from siphoning off fuel at the particular place which is used as a parking lot for TTs.
Sources informed that out of the five TTs seized by security forces for siphoning off fuel, four belong to Manipur.
The district administration as well as the local police know that fuel is often siphoned off at Khatkhati after cutting the iron bars used for locking the oil tankers' chambers.
Even though the IOC is also not oblivious to this illegal practice, authorities find it hard to check the same practice, said the sources.
Owners or transport agencies of the four TTs belonging to Manipur which have been seized for siphoning off fuel cannot be ascertained till the time of filing this report.
In most cases, such fraudulent practices were hushed up under an understanding between the frauds and local law enforcing agencies and such matters seldom reach the IOC's Malom depot, said the sources.
In case, such illegal activities are reported to the Malom depot, the particular transporters are blacklisted.
As such, the frauds make all efforts to settle their fraudulent practices with the local authorities then and there, according to the sources.
The news about seizure of five TTs including four from Manipur has reached the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters' Association.
One key leader of the association maintained that it could not be ascertained yet to which transport agency the four TTs belong.
Nonetheless, efforts are on to identify the transport agencies/transporters to whom the four TTs belong.
On the other hand, demanding a written assurance from the State Government regarding the ex-gratia to be given to drivers and handymen in case they die of COVID-19 while on duty, oil tanker drivers staged a protest demonstration yesterday.
As a result, the convoy of TTs and LPG bullet trucks which were supposed to leave Imphal with CRPF escorts yesterday did not make any move.
Notably, the State Government and the All Manipur Petroleum Product Transporters Association have already reached an understanding to grant an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh to the next of kin of any driver or handyman in case he dies of COVID-19.The drivers were demanding a written statement on the same understanding.