IMPHAL, February 18: Following the 72 hours general strike called by the All Tribal Disabled Union, Manipur since last midnight, only 12 oil tankers have managed to reach the state capital. There is also a growing speculation in the state that arrival of oil tankers may stop from tomorrow following the strike.
According to reports received by the IFP, only 12 tankers carrying petroleum products arrived into the state out of which only two were carrying petrol. Sources have also informed that the 12 tankers were escorted by the CRPF under tight security with one escort vehicle for every tanker.
Soon after crossing over Mao gate along the Imphal-Dimapur road, the CRPF escorts went ahead of the tankers whenever there were suspicions of bandh supporters imposing the bandh.
The CRPF team also acted at such places as Road Opening Patrol to clear the line ahead of the tankers. Sources have also informed that since the general strike could gain in momentum, there is also an apprehension that tankers will stop arriving in the state until the general strike ends.
Meanwhile, the state government is yet to announce any additional security cover for the tankers till the filling of this report.
It is also learnt that the empty oil tankers are escorted from Mantripukhri around 11 pm by the CRPF.
Around 15 tankers had left Imphal before the ATDUM general strike was called at around 11pm last night and have reach their respective oil depots, informed the source.
Our Churachandpur Correspondent adds:
The All Tribal Disabled Union, Manipur general strike had no visible effect at Churachandpur district today.
Law enforcing authorities have also claimed that there has been no disruption in the district. Markets in the district remain open as usual. However, the general public of the district remained confused over the Village Defence Force bandh regarding its unpredictability.
Our Kangpokpi Correspondent: No untoward incidents have been reported along the NH-2 today due to ATDUM bandh though passenger buses plying on the said route have been affected in the morning.
At around 7 am in the morning some volunteers of the Thadou Students` Association (TSA) endorsing the bandh stopped Senapati and Kangpokpi bound passenger buses heading towards Imphal between Motbung and Kanglatongbi. But bus service resumed in the evening.
In the meantime, a reliable source informed that leaders of the All Tribal Disables Union Sadar Hills (ATDUSH) and Senapati Disabled Persons Association Manipur (SDPAM) meet TSA Sadar Hills today at Motbung.
The source further informed that, due a communication gap, the TSA Sadar Hills had mistakenly endorsed the ATDUM bandh. After the meeting, the three organizations unanimously agreed to oppose the bandh. They have also appealed to the general public not to be confused while assuring that traffic and business establishment can resume as usual from tomorrow.
The three organizations also warned any individual not to execute any activities in relation with the ATDUM in their jurisdiction, according to the source.
ATDUSH General Secretary Lalkholund Chongloi, in a press statement said that the ATDUM`s false allegation over the existence of SDPAM is baseless since SDPAM is a genuine and legitimate organization and have maintained good relationship and understanding with ATDUSH since many years.
He further said that ATDUSH and SDPAM do not recognize the existence of the Association of Persons with Disability Senapati (ADPS).
Lalkholund also said that the organizations were not against the demand of ATDUM but against the error committed by a self-styled ATDUM president.
