Manipur petroleum tanker drivers call off their strike after CM Khemchand assures compensation for an injured driver, resuming fuel movement on NH-37.
Imphal, Sept. 13: The Petroleum Product Drivers Association has called off its steering-down strike with immediate effect from September 13, following assurances and monetary compensation from Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh for a driver grievously injured in the September 10 attack on a petroleum convoy at Noney.
In a press note issued on Sunday, the association said drivers would resume loading petrol and diesel from the Malom Depot and LPG from the Sekmai Bottling Plant. Drivers will also restart transportation of loaded petroleum products from Jiribam to Imphal.
However, the association said petroleum tankers and LPG bullets would not join the movement of empty vehicles back towards Jiribam until a meeting is held with the Chief Minister and other concerned stakeholders. The meeting is expected to take place on or before September 15, according to the statement.
The decision ends the immediate halt in petroleum transportation that had disrupted the movement of fuel supplies after drivers launched the steering-down strike following the attack on a convoy along NH-37.
The strike followed an attack on September 10 on a convoy of about 150 fuel tankers and trucks carrying essential commodities from Jiribam to Imphal. The convoy was travelling under security escort when it came under stone-pelting at two locations in the Noney area, including near Noney Bazar and the Noney bridge.
Reports said more than 20 vehicles were damaged and at least five drivers were injured. Two drivers suffered serious head injuries, with one later being shifted to Raj Medicity in Imphal and admitted to the ICU.
The convoy had been moving amid an economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) from September 9. The UNC had intensified its blockade in connection with its demand for justice and accountability over the killing of six Liangmai Naga men who were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13 and later found dead.
According to reports, the convoy was halted near Noney during the blockade before being allowed to proceed under security escort. It subsequently came under heavy stone-pelting. The incident prompted petroleum tanker drivers and other transport workers to stop operations, citing concerns over their safety while transporting essential supplies.
The drivers subsequently demanded stronger security arrangements, an inquiry into the security lapses, improved Standard Operating Procedures for convoy movement and government assurances before resuming operations. The Petroleum Products Drivers Association also sought compensation for injured drivers and protection from attacks during future bandhs, blockades and protests.
The incident came amid wider difficulties on NH-37. More than 200 empty oil tankers and goods trucks were reported stranded at Keithelmanbi as the economic blockade disrupted movement along the Imphal-Jiribam corridor.
The latest dispute also comes weeks after the Manipur government and petroleum transport stakeholders agreed to review security arrangements for fuel convoys on NH-37.
On August 1, a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh agreed to form a coordination committee involving the police, CRPF, CAF&PD department and representatives of petroleum transporters, retail outlet dealers, LPG distributors and drivers' associations. The committee was tasked with reviewing and revising the existing Standard Operating Procedure for fuel convoy movement.
The agreement followed another cease-work action by petroleum and LPG transporters over security concerns on the highway. A memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister in July had also raised allegations of illegal tax collection and extortion along the Imphal-Jiribam route.
The latest strike therefore came against a background of continuing concerns among transport workers about highway security, particularly while carrying fuel and other essential commodities through areas affected by blockades and protests.
In announcing the withdrawal of the strike, the Petroleum Product Drivers Association expressed appreciation for the assurances and compensation provided by the Chief Minister to the grievously injured driver.
The association also apologised for the inconvenience caused to the public during the strike and thanked people for their support while drivers remained off the road.
At the same time, it appealed to organisations, committees and communities across Manipur not to target drivers carrying essential commodities during future protests, strikes, bandhs or blockades on national highways.
The association stressed that petroleum drivers come from different communities and that the essential commodities they transport are required by people across the state.
It also pointed out that drivers have limited control over the movement of their vehicles once they are operating on the national highways and said their transportation work is carried out under an arrangement with the Manipur government.
“Drivers belong to all communities, the essential items belong to all communities,” the association said, urging all communities to restrain from targeting drivers.
The association said the immediate resumption of loading and transportation would help restore petroleum supplies, while the proposed meeting with the Chief Minister is expected to address the broader security and operational concerns that led to the strike.
