Oil tanker drivers resume service

Petroleum tanker drivers has resumed oil distribution from the depot to various retailers, but not yet decided when to resume ferrying in of fuel from outside the state.
The drivers suspended its cease work strike after chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh has assured to enhance security along the national highways and announced premium support for drivers and handyman of trucks and tankers.
The oil tanker drivers took up its steering down strike following a gun attack by miscreants to the tankers injuring three drivers along the National Highway-2 in Kangpokpi district on April 30.
The chief minister Biren Singh yesterday met the members of All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers’ Association and All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters’ Association at the cabinet hall of Chief Minister’s secretariat.
In the meeting the Biren Singh said, a dedicated round the clock hotline number, 0385-2450214 will be opened at DGP’s office from today to attend the calls of transporters and drivers of fuel tankers and trucks serving through the national highways in case of any emergency. Another hotline mobile number having Whatsapp facility will also be activated soon for the purpose, said the chief minister.
Biren Singh also conveyed that the State Government would open life insurance accounts for the drivers and handymen oil tankers, for which the annual premium would be borne by the state government.
The chief minister also promised to afford ex-gratia and job to the next of kin of the drivers and handymen, in case of lost of lives due to attack by militants or anti-social element during their service.
Earlier on April 18 two oil tankers—one a petrol carrier and another, a diesel carrier were shot and leaked by suspected militants at kangpokpi area along the Imphal-Dimapur road.
On January 24 an attack at Awangkhul along the National Highway-37 hit one oil loaded truck ferrying towards Imphal.
On April 21 police has claimed that it had crackdown a gang associated with the attacks along the highway. However another attack strike back on April 30 which aroused the drivers.