Uncertainty looms over oil tankers, LPG bullets
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 20 2024:
Although it has been several days since loaded oil tankers and LPG bullets have been stranded at Jiribam and Silchar, it is not yet clear when they would reach Imphal.
Altogether 50 TTs loaded with petrol, another 50 loaded with diesel and 50 LPG bullets left Jiribam for Imphal with CRPF escorts on June 17 but they were blocked by around 20 Kuki women backed by heavily armed Kuki militants who stood behind the women at Tatbung.
As the security personnel could not drive away the blockaders and open the highway, the convoy turned back to Jiribam.
Since then, the drivers and their assistants have been stranded at Jiribam.
Considering the plight of the stranded drivers, helpers, the volatile law and order situation at Jiribam and the fast depleting stocks of petrol and diesel at Imphal, transporters, IOCL officials and the State Government held a series of meetings since Tuesday to bring in the stranded oil tankers and LPG bullets.
On Tuesday, IOCL officials and transporters held a meeting with the IGP (Ops), followed by another meeting with top ranking police officers on Wednesday.
A similar meeting was held today with Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi and top police officers, sources informed.
But the IOCL officials and the transporters have not yet talked with the Chief Minister or he CAF&PD Minister till date.
Subsequent upon the series of meetings, arrangements have been made to bring in the stranded oil tankers and LPG bullets from Friday by enhancing the strength of CRPF escorts and placing more ROPs in the Kuki inhabited areas of Imphal-Jiribam highway.
However, despite the enhanced security arrangement, drivers/transporters are reluctant to take the highway to Imphal following the attack at Leingangpokpi police checkpoint by Kuki militants and the blockade imposed by Kuki women at Tatbung.
As such, it is not yet clear when the stranded oil tankers and LPG bullets would reach Imphal, said the sources.