DIMAPUR, APRIL 27 (MExN): Four petroleum retailers and transporters bodies of Nagaland issued an ultimatum to the state government in connection to the April 22 abduction of two truckers in Tuensang. The ultimatum from the Kohima Petroleum Dealers Association, Dimapur Petroleum Dealers Association, Nagaland Tanker Transport Association and Oil Tanker Drivers Union, addressed to the deputy Commissioner, Tuensang was issued on April 27.
The ultimatum was also endorsed to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Home Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, Tuensang.
It gave the government a 48-hour deadline beginning April 28 for the safe rescue of oil tanker driver Tula Ram Bura Gohain and his helper Adman Surin, who went missing at New Helipong village, Tuensang on April 22.
“Despite information being given to the police there is no breakthrough till date. The abduction of the transporters is a serious security concern for us. Further the Associations are also not satisfied with the way the police are handling and investigating the matter,” stated the ultimatum.
Failing to rescue the “abducted drivers” by the end of the deadline, the four associations informed that an indefinite state-wide closure of petrol pumps will begin in tandem with ‘chakka bandh’ or oil tankers going off the road. The Oil Tankers Union Dimapur has already stopped plying or entry of oil tankers into Dimapur from the evening of April 26.
ENPO calls for release
In a separate media statement, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO), while expressing concern over the abduction, called for the safe release of the two truckers “at the earliest in order to restore normalcy in the region.” It drew attention to the ENPO’s December 18, 2007 “Tuensang Resolution” wherein the public of Eastern Nagaland pledged to oppose any form of violence, threats, intimidations or bloodshed within its jurisdiction.
It reiterated its stand on maintaining peace and honouring the 2007 resolution in the interest of the region and the entire state in general.
