Oil tankers resume service
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 26 2013 :
As decided in a joint meeting held today, oil tankers would resume their service of ferrying fuel with CRPF security escorts from tonight.
The meeting held this afternoon in the office chamber of CAF&PD Minister M Okendro studied the shortage of fuel in the State following the cease work strike undertaken by oil tanker drivers in protest against the abduction of a driver from Kohima, who was later freed.
The meeting was attended by ADGP (Armed Police) PS Goud, CRPF (Manipur and Nagaland) IG SP Singh, DIG Ashokumar, IOC officials and representatives of the All Manipur Tanker Drivers' Association.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Minister Okendro informed that oil tankers escorted by CRPF personnel would resume service from tonight itself.
In the meantime, the Chief Minister and the DGP would write to their Nagaland counterparts seeking enhanced security arrangement along Imphal-Dimapur highway.
At present, there is 10 days stock for both diesel and petrol.
Conceding that there certain difficulties when tanker drivers undertook cease work strike, Okendro claimed that fuel oils have now been made available at all oil pumps like in a normal situation.
He asked oil pump proprietors/managers not to close oil pumps just because someone has called bandh.
If this practice of closing oil pumps every time a bandh is called continues any longer, stringent actions would be taken up even to the extent of cancelling permits, warned the Minister.
He also appealed to the public not to indulge in panic buying of petrol and diesel.
Okendro assured that fuel oils would be made available at oil pumps like in normal situation from tomorrow.
The unfolding situation needs cooperation of all political parties and organisations.
It is nor right to put the whole responsibility on the Government alone.
He further appealed to transporters as well as people settled along highways to cooperate towards the Government's efforts.