Transporters call off stir
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 13, 2013:
Transporters of the State who have been agitating against the murder of a fellow driver and his assistant in Sivasagar, Assam have called off their agitation.
Speaking to media persons at ISBT, Khuman Lampak this afternoon, All Manipur Petroleum Tankers and Drivers Union president Y Bhupenchandra Ghosh said that 80 per cent of the demands raised by the union in connection with the murder of tanker driver Sanjoy Thapa (32) s/o Dal Bahadur Thapa of Ghaspani, Medziphema, Nagaland and his assistant Romesh Limbu (19) s/o Tiken of Pheidinga have been fulfilled.
He said that the union's agitation would be called off after claiming Limbu's body for the last rites this evening.
Sanjoy and Limbu were found murdered at Sivasagar in the wee hours of February 10.Taking strong exception to the double murder, the All Manipur Petroleum Tankers and Drivers Union launched �hands off steering' from February 11 .
On the other hand, Limbu's body was brought to ISBT gate where members of the union and fellow drivers paid their last respects.
CAF&PD Minister M Okendro also came there and paid homage to late Limbu.
He also gave ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 to the family of Limbu.
Condemning in the strongest term the heinous crime of murdering transporters, Okendro stated that several security measures including deployment of police commandos from Imphal to Mao would be initiated soon.
On being asked about long queues seen at petrol pumps, Okendro said that it was because of the all India bank strike for two days and failure of ROs to obtain challans in advance.
Stating that fuel oils would be made available at oil pumps as usual from tomorrow, Okendro informed that relevant district officials have been necessary directive in this regard.
Maintaining that they are calling off the agitation at the assurance given by the State, Bhupenchandra Ghosh said that they would resume the same stir in case the Government fails to translate its assurance into action.