• Fuel outlets in Karbi Anglong overwhelmed
• Striking unions to meet Commissioner Nagaland
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 30
As the whereabouts of the two abducted truckers remained unknown, the state-wide indefinite strike called by petroleum transporters and retailers would likely continue. The strike – shutdown of fuel pumps and oil tankers going off the road across the state – called by the Kohima Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Dimapur Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Nagaland Tanker Transport Association and Oil Tanker Drivers Union, Dimapur took effect at 12:00 am, April 30.
The effect of the strike was evident from day one with Nagaland’s commercial hub badly hit. Fuel outlets in nearby West Karbi Anglong district of Assam were overwhelmed with vehicles from Dimapur making a beeline to the four existing petrol pumps at Lahorijan, Khatkhati and Bokajan since the wee hours of Monday.
Public transport was the most affected as people plying taxis and autorickshaws had to crossover the state-lines to get fuel. Passengers of outbound zonal taxis from Dimapur endured long waits as the drivers rushed to either Lahorijan or Khakhati to refuel leaving their vehicles within the state-lines.
Overwhelmed by the sudden surge in demand, as the day progressed the fuel outlets stopped entertaining customers, who turned up without personal vehicles.
Petrol pumps closure in Kohima following an indefinite state-wide strike from April 30. Petroleum dealers across the state on Sunday decided to call for an indefinite state-wide strike from April 30, in protest against the abduction of an oil tanker driver and helper on April 22 near new Helipong village under Tuensang district by armed miscreants. In Kohima, all fuel outlets remains shut during the strike.
Meanwhile, the state government remained mum on the progress of investigation/operations to trace the missing truckers, who were abducted at New Helipong in Tuensang on April 22. The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) informed that it was touch with the Tuensang district administration on the progress of the investigations. Asked on its meeting with the Tuensang administration, an ENPO executive said that nothing much was disclosed while adding the police maintained it was putting in all efforts into the investigation.
In Mokokchung, fuel retailers maintained that “the ball is now in government's court and that the strike would continue unless the government offers some assurance to the aggrieved party.” According to the chairman of Ongpangkong Petrol Pump Cooperative Society Ltd, no positive response from the government was forthcoming.
On the problems being faced by the public in Mokokchung and also across the state, he said that there was no point opening the petrol pumps with depots likely “out of stock” as oil tankers (oil transporters are also on strike.
In state capital Kohima, there were some complaints about inflation of fares by local taxis. All fuel outlets remains shut during the strike.
The Kohima Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Dimapur Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Nagaland Tanker Transport Association and Oil Tanker Drivers Union Kohima Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Dimapur Petrol Pump Dealers Association, Nagaland Tanker Transport Association and Oil Tanker Drivers Union, Dimapur informed on Monday evening that the Commissioner, Nagaland has called for a meeting in Kohima on May 1.
An executive of one of the unions said that it received a letter from the Commissioner today calling for a meeting in connection to the abduction of the truckers and the subsequent protest by petroleum retailers and transporters. Whatever would be the outcome of the meeting will be let known, it was added.
PAC appeal for release of abducted drivers
Kohima, April 30 (MExN): The Political Affairs Committee (PAC), Government of Nagaland has appealed for immediate release of abducted oil tanker driver Tula Ram Bura Gohain and his helper Adman Surin, who went missing at New Helipong village, Tuensang on April 22. In a resolution passed during its April 30 meeting held at the residential office of the Chief Minister on April 30, the PAC urged for immediate release of the innocent persons citing humanitarian ground as well as to maintain peaceful atmosphere in the State. “While the State’s machineries are making all possible efforts to ensure the safe returns of the persons, the PAC issues this appeal on humanitarian ground so as maintain peaceful atmosphere in the State,” said a press communiqué from Nagaland Chief Secretary and Member Secretary PAC Temjen Toy.
