Tanker drivers protest attack, ask outlets to shut
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 10 2023:
In denunciation of an attack on petroleum tankers by unknown armed assailants along NH 37 (Imphal Jiribam highway) on Monday night, tanker drivers have launched an indefinite strike and imposed restrictions on government oil depot, Malom from Tuesday.
Transporters' associations have also appealed to all the fuel outlets in the state to shut down from Wednesday onwards until an agreement is arrived at.
The unknown armed assailants carried out the attack in Nungba area along NH 37 on Monday around 8.30 pm and assaulted several drivers, apart from breaking the windshields.
Condemning the incident and demanding ad equate security cover along the highway, All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters' Association (AMPPTA) and All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers' Association (AMPPDA) decided to launch indefinite strike from Tuesday while urging retail outlets to close until the matter is resolved.
Addressing a press meet in this regard at Keithelmanbi, AMPTA president L Somendro said that two tanker trucks AS01GC 3847 and AS25BC 5299 were hit by bullets in the armed attack.
The association had raised the demand for providing adequate security along the highway on multiple occasions due to such perennial threats.
He said that armed groups along the highway used to collect illegal tax of Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 per truck but the rate has increased to Rs 4000 to Rs 4500 per truck during the present humanitarian crisis in the state.
Despite such threatening situations and repeated appeals, the government has failed to take up any concrete measures to mitigate the problem, he rued.
AMPPDA secretary Mukta Nongbri also raised the same concern over the negligence of the government towards their appeal for providing adequate security.
On Monday night, the armed assailants not only attacked the trucks but also assaulted several drivers with cane and destroyed windshields of some trucks.
This is not the first instance of such attacks on the transporters and the government is leaving the drivers to their own fate despite knowing the danger they face along the highway while carrying out their duties, he decried.