No breakthrough yet on drivers' stir
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 22 2024:
With no breakthrough on the demands of oil tanker and LPG bullet tanker drivers, the drivers' cease work strike has not been suspended or called off.
On the drivers' charter of demands, a team of drivers and transporters' representatives held a meeting with the Chief Secretary and the meeting continued today too but it could not arrive at any understanding.
Meanwhile, it is reported that drivers and transporters may hold a meeting at Malom depot tomorrow on the contentious points.
One transporter told The Sangai Express that the issue of compensation and ex-gratia for drivers cannot be settled yet even though a broad understanding has been reached on other points such as providing adequate security forces and detailing enough security personnel on ROP duty.
The Government has been saying that drivers and helpers would be given compensation and ex-gratia in case they suffer casualties on highways as per an order issued by the Home Department earlier.
The question of providing a Government job to the next of kin in case a driver dies while on duty on highways was also considered.
The Government assured that special treatment would be given to such cases.
Following the vicious attack on a convoy of fuel tankers and goods carriers carried out by suspected Kuki militants near Kaimai on Imphal-Jiribam highway on April 16, the tanker drivers have been on a cease work strike.
Notably, two drivers sustained injuries in the attack and five tankers were badly damaged.
As a result of the cease work strike, people are now facing scarcity of petrol, diesel and LPG in the valley districts.
Although supply of petrol and diesel from Malom depot to retail outlets has been suspended in the valley districts, there has been no such disruption in Churachandpur district, Senapati district, Kangpokpi district and Moreh.
In these districts/places, petrol, diesel and LPG are supplied directly to the retail outlets from loading points located outside the State.