Tanker drivers on strike to protest police ill-treatment
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 13 2014 : Alleging ill-treatment of fellow workers by State security force personnel today All Manipur petroleum Tanker Drivers' Welfare Association launched impromptu agitation of suspending fuel transportation service with immediate effect.

It is said that a team of Imphal West district police carried out search operation in between 7.30 to 8 am today at the inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) located near Khuman Lampak Sports Complex leading to rounding up of six transport operators, who could not produce identity-proof documents.

Hauling the six to Imphal west police station, apparently for further verification process, they were however, forced to clean (sweep) the police station, claimed one Karam Suresh, a driver.

Opining that failure to furnish either the 'gate pass' issued by the Indian oil Corporation Limited or the Association identity card might be the reason for their detention, Suresh, nevertheless deplored the police not entertaining persistent appeal by the drivers that the six are their colleagues working in the same profession.

Tanker drivers on strike to protest police ill-treatment

On being informed Association president Y Bhupenchandra Ghosh reportedly called police higher-ups and called back telling four drivers to go to the police station and escort back their colleagues from the police station.

Upon reaching the said police station the six were seen dusting the doormats, sweeping the floor and cleaning windows of the police station, Suresh maintained adding that inspite of informing his colleagues about the Association president's intimation a police officer insisted that the six drivers continue with the task 'assigned' to them.

Despite telling the police officer on their purpose of showing up at the police station and identifying the six persons to be tanker drivers the same officer using abusive language roughed up Suresh, who with his three companions returned to ISBT wherein decision was taken to protest the police high-handedness.

The six detained drivers have been identified as Bijay Bihari (NL-08A/2353), Suresh Chhetri (MN-01/6929), Sahadeva Singh (AS-01EC/0037), Sagar (MN-01/9207), S Kiran (MN-01/9224) and assistant driver Rame.

Pledging support to any agitation launched by the Association on the matter, Transporter and Driver Forum Manipur treasurer Kh Inaoba strongly condemned the police for ill-treating the drivers.

On the otherhand, the fuel transport operators setting May 16 deadline to the police authorities for suspending the Officer-in-charge concerned stated that non compliance to their demand would compel resorting to more intense agitation than ceasing fuel transport service.

A meeting with civil society organisations would be convened on May 16 to discuss further course of agitation, they said.