IMPHAL, April 25: The CRPF has said that it would not be able to provide additional security personnel as requested by the All Manipur Petroleum Tankers and Drivers’ Union after the incident wherein cadres of the Naga National Council (Federal) kidnapped oil tanker driver S. Surjit Singh for monetary demand near Kohima of Nagaland on the early morning of April 21.
Y. Bhupenchandra Gosh, President of Petroleum Tankers and Drivers’ Union said that drivers have called off the steering down strike from yesterday morning following the release of driver S Surjit on April 23 who was kidnapped by NNC (F) for monetary demand on April 21. As the drivers have returned to work, empty tankers after loading oil at IOC have to collect oil again and there was a necessity for tankers loaded with oil outside of Manipur to return to Imphal. Against this backdrop, Petroleum Tankers and Drivers’ Union went to the Group Centre, CRPF at Langjing yesterday at around 5 p.m. and met with IGP/CRPF of Manipur and Nagaland at Group Centre. SI Singh, Senior Depot Manager of Indian Oil Corporation, an official of Gas Bottling Plant and an Executive member of AMPDU were also present at the meeting.
The representatives requested IGP/CRPF to increase the number of CRPF personnel who escort LPG bullet and oil tankers from Khatkhati to Imphal via Nagaland but IGP/CRPF (M and N sector) said that the provision of escorts and its number are as per the order of the Government of India and they could not increase the number for which Manipur Govt has to put pressure on the Ministry of Govt of India.
On the other hand, no empty tanker has left Imphal to collect oil after the April 21` incident. Around 100 loaded tankers stranded at Khatkhati are reportedly not able to return to Imphal.
When asked when empty tankers will leave Imphal to collect oil, Bhupenchandra Gosh said that he did not have any definite idea. However, he added thar If the empty tankers have to leave Imphal, they may set out today after midnight at 1 a.m.