The POL Drivers Associations on Monday agreed to ply along National Highway-37 and unload local supplies (RO)/IOCL POL/LPG at Malom Oil Depot and Sekmai Gas Bottling Plant immediately following an agreement with the state government.
A meeting was held in the office of the additional director general of Police (law and order), Manipur with the officials of IOCL, Transporters Associations and POL/LPG TTS Drivers Associations, as per a memorandum issued by the State Police department.
It said that after detailed discussion and hearing from the aggrieved parties, attendees outlined four agreements which includes that the Police department will ensure to detail 1 Senior Officer in Nungba area to conduct operation and coordinate movement of convoy along NH-37.
It mentioned that the Police department also assured to enhance security at vulnerable areas by deploying additional MR/IRB so as to prevent any further attacks and prevent illegal collection of taxes by anti-social elements on the drivers/vehicles of the IOCL/LPG TTS.
It asserted that the Police Department will also sensitize the CRPF and other security forces deployed en route the NH-37 to facilitate and also provide maximum security during halt and movement en route.
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It mentioned that following the assurances given, the POL drivers Associations agreed to ply along NH-37 and unload local supplies (RO)/IOCL POL/LPG at Malom Oil Depot and Sekmai Gas Bottling Plant immediately.
The memorandum was signed by the Additional Director General of Police (L and D), representatives of the IOCL/LPG, Transporters Associations and Drivers Associations.
It may be mentioned that a joint meeting of Drivers' Association of POL, Transport POL, bulk LPG and petroleum dealers of Manipur was held on Sunday, to discuss measures to resolve the crisis which had led to artificial scarcity of petroleum products in the state.
The meeting also highlighted issues faced by the POL and bulk LPG drivers including firing gun bullets at the vehicles by unknown assailants, several physical assaults or harassment and rampant exorbitant extortion in multiple areas which is increasing day by day.
It may be stated that the All Manipur Petroleum Products Driver Association (AMPPDA) resolved to halt operations at Malom Oil Depot following an attack by unknown assailants on a convoy of loaded oil tankers along National Highway 37 in the Nungba area on the night of October 9.
