IMPHAL, October 22: Tanker drivers under the All Manipur Petroleum Tankers`™ Drivers Union have launched a steering wheel-down strike from 1pm today against charges made by an oil tanker driver that the union`™s president Y Bhupenchandra Ghosh had used a gun to intimidate and assault him yesterday.
Tanker driver Nirmal Lama, 34, of Gautam Basti, Khatkhati, Assam driving for Heirangoithong Service Station (oil pump) had charged yesterday that when the president of the union was asked to provide receipts for unloading two tankers (bearing regd number MN-01/ 9165 and MN-01/ 7048) including his, the president assaulted him using his gun.
At the same time, dismissing the charge as baseless, drivers today demanded the police to withdraw the complaint filed against the president.
They further warned that their strike will continue until their demand is met.
Following the strike, no tanker has left the ISBT.
Speaking to media persons at the ISBT, Bhupenchandra Ghosh said there is no incident in which he intimidated driver Nirmal using firearm.
CCTV cameras are fixed at the IOC gate to give foolproof evidence, he said, adding that an inebriated Nirmal had tried to jump the line and demanded his challan.
He continued that Nirmal while using expletives even tried to seize the challan from his hands which had resulted in some scuffles which can be witnessed from the CCTV footage.
The press meet was also attended by representatives and office bearers of four transporters`™ bodies.
Later in the evening, another source informed that driver Nirmal Lama has gone missing when high ranking officials of the IOC Ltd called both the union president and the driver this afternoon.