Oil tankers chakka bandh in Dimapur
Morung Express News
Dimapur/Mokokchung | April 26
The abduction of two oil transporters in Tuensang on April 22 has resulted in a domino effect albeit delayed. Fuel outlets in a number of districts, including sub divisions, closed down beginning 1:00 pm on April 26 in protest, while the whereabouts of the two transporters remained unknown.
In Dimapur, while petrol pumps remained open, the Oil Tankers Union Dimapur (OTUD) began a ‘chakka bandh’ protest from Thursday evening. The ‘bandh’ will only effect oil ferrying trucks. OTUD general secretary Bokavi Sema informed today that the union members decided to go off the roads till the two abducted victims are released unharmed. According to him, in-bound oil tankers from Assam will not enter Dimapur till the captives are released. The union also staged a sit-in protest outside the Indian Oil Corporation depot at Kevijau colony during the day.
Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Longleng were the districts where petrol pumps were reported shut beginning 1:00 pm on April 26. In Mokokchung, petrol pump owners wrote to the Deputy Commissioner on April 25 giving the latter 24 hours to “trace out the abducted persons.” The deadline expired at 1:00 pm today resulting in the closure of fuel outlets in the town. The shut down call in the district headquarters also resonated at Tuli and at Longnak valley, the latter falling under Mangkolemba sub division.
It was informed that the Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung had forwarded the letter from the Mokokchung petrol pump owners to his Tuensang counterpart.
In Tuensang, petrol pumps remained closed for the third day since April 23. As per the Tuensang police, the abduction occurred at New Helipong village on April 22 enroute Tuensang town. The abducted persons – driver Tula Ram Bura Gohain and his assistant Adman Surin were transporting fuel to a petrol pump in Tuensang.
The police said that combing operation was launched as soon as the information was received “but the abductors have managed to evade arrest.” The police suspect the abductors to be cadres of a Naga National Group.
Queried on the possible motive, the police said that no monetary demand has so far been received.
A copy of an “ultimatum” addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Tuensang written by one M/S Rai Bahadur Chunelal Agency Tuensang on April 25 stated that it would “have no option but to halt the supply of petrol/diesel” if the whereabouts of the abducted were not traced within 24 hours.
