Fuel transporters threaten stir to protest attack
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 12 2023: An oil tanker coming towards Imphal from Jiribam was fired upon by unknown armed persons at a place located about 1.5 km from Noney police station around 11 am on Tuesday.

Petroleum product transporters condemned the incident and have decided cease service as the situation has become life-threatening.

After the petroleum tankers' convoy reached Patsoi on Tuesday, the drivers held talk with representatives of All Manipur Petroleum Product Transporters' Association (AMPPTA) along with jointly examining the vehicle which was attacked.

Speaking to media persons, the drivers decried that the condition of Imphal-Jiri road is becoming deplorable day by day and as such the journey which took just a day to reach Imphal from Jiribam now takes three-four days.

The trucks that arrived Imphal on Tuesday started from Jiribam have to stop over after dusk due to poor condition of the road, they added.

Meanwhile, driver of the truck which was fired upon, informed that he was part of the convoy which started from Noney on Tuesday morning but after driving for a distance of 1.5 km from Noney police station he saw one of the occupants of an auto rickshaw parked beside the road signalling to stop the truck.

He continued that as the place was not usually used by banned armed groups for stopping trucks for collecting money he drove away but suddenly a shot was fired on left side of the truck.

On the other hand, AMPPTA president A Tamphayai stated that due to the ethnic conflict the oil tankers drivers had been apprehensive to operate along the NHs in Manipur sector, but the Association exhorted them to continue their service to avert possible fuel crisis.

However, the latest incident of attack has compelled the drivers to cease service with immediate effect, he conveyed.

Tamphayai also reiterated that condition of Imphal-Jiri is not fit for heavy vehicles with many portions of the road dotted with huge potholes consequently making the journey tiresome and risky.

Tamphayai also lamented that the security escort provided by CRPF to the convoy is not satisfactory as they arbitrarily stop whenever they like without considering the safety of the accompanying truck drivers.

He also decried that illegal taxation and looting by armed groups in the name of gate pass, warehouse pass, token, etc., on the NH 37 has increased many folds and any driver who fails to hand out the money are beaten, stone pelted and threatened.

Later in the evening, Patsoi police station OC inspected the vehicle attacked by the unknown persons on Tuesday.

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