Movement of trucks arranged
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 24 2016:
In view of the possible scenario of fuel shortage, due arrangements have been made to bring in around 250 tanker trucks and LPG bulk tankers to Imphal tomorrow which are currently stranded at Khatkhatti, Assam.
IOC's Chief Divisional Retail Sales Manager cum State Level Coordinator Sinam Ibungoton told The Sangai Express that transportation of fuel to the State was suspended since August 10 due to different reasons.
This has seriously affected the State's fuel market.
Fuel transportation was suspended on August 10 and 11 as there was no movement of CRPF escorts after a portion of Imphal-Dimapur highway sunk near Kohima.
Again there was no movement of CRPF escorts from August 12 to 16 on account of security measures taken up by the State Government for Independence Day.
In the meantime, the All Manipur Written Test Successful Candidates of Manipur Police Constable (Male) 2013 imposed economic blockade on National Highways from August 16 .
In spite of the economic blockade, CRPF escorted a convoy of tanker trucks and LPG bulk tankers towards Imphal in the intervening night of August 16 and 17 .
But the convoy was attacked by blockade supporters as they approached Senapati district headquarters in the morning of August 17 which left seven drivers injured and more than 10 trucks were damaged.
As one of the drivers sustained critical injuries, fellow tankers drivers launched a cease work strike.
On account of the cease work strike, all activities of IOC's Chingmeirong depot and Sekmai LPG bottling plant ceased.
The drivers called off their agitation after an agreement was struck at a joint meeting of transporters, State Government and the IOC on August 21 .
Altogether 442 Kls of petrol and 550 Kls of diesel were released from IOC's Chingmeirong oil depot in the afternoon of the same day.
However, the stock positions at the depot shrunk to 799 Kls of petrol and 3189 Kls of diesel as there was no transportation of fuel for many days.
The existing stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG would last six days, 13 days and two days respectively, Ibungoton said.
Taking serious note of the situation, a high level meeting was held today with Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.
The meeting was also attended by the CAF&PD Minister, the Chief Secretary, the DGP, CRPF officers, CAF&PD officials, IOC officials and representatives of transport organisations.
The meeting decided to send a team of CRPF and a special team of Manipur Police to Mao which would reach there tomorrow morning.
With these additional forces, around 250 tanker trucks and LPG bulk tankers would be brought to Imphal.
The meeting also discussed about movement of empty tanker trucks, LPG bulk tankers and FCI trucks everyday and movement of loaded convoys five days in a week, Ibungoton conveyed.