Oil pumps run dry, IOC depot remains shut
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 03 2016:
On account of the indefinite strike launched since November 1 by the All Manipur Petroleum Transporters Association, normal daily operations remained suspended today at IOC's Chingmeirong depot and as a result, most of the oil pumps remained shut today.
As transportation of fuel stopped since some days back, there are only five days' stock of petrol, 11 days' stock of diesel and 17 days' stock of SK Oil at the Chingmeirong depot.
There are only three days' stock of LPG at the Sekmai LPG Bottling Plant.
The existing stock of ATF will last for 11 days.
IOC's Imphal Divisional Retail Sales Manager cum State Level Coordinator Sinam Ibungoton said that the fuel stocks have depleted drastically on account of huge shortfalls in shipping petroleum products.
Transportation of fuel and LPG has been suspended since October 30 due to the economic blockade imposed in Naga inhabited areas in protest against creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam districts as well as the blockade imposed by ATSUM on the reservation imbroglio at MU.
Close on the heels of the economic blockade, the all Manipur Petroleum Product Transporters Association launched an indefinite strike since November 1 in protest against IOC's new initiative Expression of Interest (EOI) which further worsened the stock position of fuel.
A meeting was held yesterday in the office chamber of CAF&PD Commissioner regarding the unfolding situation.
Key functionaries of transport associations and IOC officials including the depot manager were present at the meeting.
After discussing the situation minutely, the meeting agreed to suspend the ongoing strike of transporters temporarily and resume normal operations at the IOC's depot, informed Ibungoton.
However, oil tanker drivers today resolved to carry on the indefinite strike.
As such, the strike goes on.
Meanwhile, reacting to the news item published today under the heading "Fuel supply to ROs ceased", all Manipur Petroleum Product Drivers' Association's president L Somen and general secretary Mukta Nongri asked The Sangai Express to come out with a clarification.
Saying that the particular news item tarnished the image of oil tanker drivers, they also asked about the sources of the news item.
They maintained that they would carry on the strike unless a clarification is issued.
With regard to the news item in question, The Sangai Express would like to point out that there were reports about adulteration of fuel as well as siphoning off of fuels at improper places, sometimes resulting in infernos.
If the particular news item hurt all oil tanker drivers, it is sincerely regretted.
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