Tankers fired at, drivers launch cease work stir
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 10 2023: Loaded oil tankers heading for Imphal from Jiribam were fired at by some unidentified miscreants on NH-37 yesterday.

Subsequently, TT drivers have launched a cease work strike demanding foolproof security.

Apart from firing at the loaded tankers, the unidentified miscreants also assaulted some drivers and damaged many vehicles.

Taking strong exception to the criminal acts of physically assaulting TT drivers and firing at oil tankers, the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association and the All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers Association launched a cease work strike from today.

Speaking to media persons at Keithelmanbi today, All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association president Laishram Somendro said that a convoy of 179 loaded oil and LPG tankers were heading for Imphal from Jiribam yesterday when unidentified armed miscreants fired at the convoy as they approached Nungba at around 8.30 pm.

While two oil tankers were hit by bullets, the unidentified persons vandalised more than 10 oil/LPG tankers. The drivers and the handymen of the two tankers which were hit by bullets escaped death as they ducked inside the drivers' cabins, Somendro said.

Denouncing the attack, Somendro said that loading and unloading of fuels at IOC's Malom depot would be ceased from tomorrow.

"Apart from not delivering fuel to retail outlets, we would appeal to all oil pumps to shut down from tomorrow", he said.

He said that unidentified miscreants have been extorting money from oil tankers every now and then along Imphal-Jiribam highway (NH-37) at different points.

Apart from collecting 'annual tax', 'godown tax' and several other taxes, the miscreants have been demanding additional amounts from vehicles plying on the highway at different points.

If these outrageous demands are not entertained, the miscreants often beat up drivers, vandalise vehicles and open fire at vehicles, Somendro said.

Since a long time back, transporters' and drivers' associations have been urging the Government to detail adequate security forces for protection of vehicles plying on NH-37 .

Transporters and the drivers have been appealing to the Government to check robbery and extortion on the highways.

But so far there is no indication of detailing adequate security forces, he decried.

The Government's failure to take up any concrete action to check extortion and robbery on the highway has only emboldened the miscreants as testified by the life attempt they made on drivers last night, he said.

Transporters and drivers are now bearing a heavy burden as they are being forced to pay Rs 4000 to Rs 4500 for every trip.

Sometime back, the extortion rate was Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 per trip, he said.

All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers Association secretary Mukta Nongbri said that they have approached the Chief Secretary repeatedly to provide/detail adequate security forces for transportation of fuels on NH-37 .

Decrying that adequate security forces have not been provided yet, Mukta wondered whom or which authority they should approach to get their grievances addressed.

Firing at oil tankers is nothing short of attempting to kill the drivers and the handymen, he said.

He condemned in the strongest terms the acts of opening fire at oil tankers, lashing drivers with canes/clubs and damaging vehicles.

Saying that such incidents had happened in the past too, he asked who would take responsibility if there was any fatality in yesterday's incident.

He urged the Government to take up strong and concrete actions against all the culprits.

Mukta said that drivers would carry on their cease work strike until foolproof security arrangements are made on National Highways.

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