Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 29
Petroleum transporters and retailers began an indefinite state-wide strike from Sunday midnight after its 48-hour deadline expired. Four associations – Kohima Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Dimapur Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Nagaland Tanker Transport Association and Oil Tanker Drivers Union, Dimapur (OTDUD) – made the decision on April 29.
On April 27, the four associations had given the Nagaland state government a 48-hour deadline 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. The ultimatum took effect from April 27 midnight.
Failing to rescue the “abducted drivers” by the end of the deadline, the four associations had warned of an indefinite state-wide closure of petrol pumps in tandem with ‘chakka bandh’ or oil tankers going off the road.
An OTDUD member informed on Sunday that “The ‘bandh’ (strike) will take effect from 12:00am, April 30.” It was added that the strike will continue across the state till such time the abducted victims are rescued unharmed.
The Oil Tankers Union Dimapur has already started a ‘chakka bandh’ protest from the evening of April 26. The same day petrol pumps in Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Longleng had also shut down, while in Tuensang it started on April 23.
Meanwhile, in Tuensang, the ENPO met the Tuensang district administration on Sunday evening to discuss the issue. Efforts made to contact the ENPO on the outcome of the meeting were unsuccessful. Sources from Tuensang informed that the two parties were still in discussion at the time of filing this report.
The ENPO made a public appeal on April 28 requesting the four associations to extend the 48-hour deadline.
