IMPHAL, June 24: Despite the ongoing indefinite economic blockade imposed by All Tribal Students`™ Union (ATSUM) – Muan Tombing Group along the National Highways in protest against the failure of the government to fulfil its long pending demands entering its fourth day, the government has not made any specific arrangement to bring back the loaded oil tankers stranded outside the State due to the blockade.
As stated by a leader of one of the oil tanker`™s associations, around 300 oil tankers are stranded outside the State unable to proceed due to the ongoing economic blockade.
Out of the total 300 tankers, 100 are loaded with fuel while the remaining 200 are empty tankers.
Once the indefinite economic blockade is lifted, the empty oil tankers will be heading for Imphal after fetching fuels from various supply points.
He lamented that the government has not come up with any arrangement to bring back the tankers being stranded outside the state despite passing of three days of the blockade.
Normally, the oil tankers are escorted by CRPF personnel. However, additional escort is required by the tankers whenever sudden economic blockade is imposed along the National Highways, he said.
He further said that the concerned authority will be urged to make special arrangement to bring back the tankers here in the capital at the earliest.
Asserting that there will be no shortage of fuel for the people at present as there is enough stock of fuels for 20 days in the depot of Indian Oil Corporation, he said that drivers and handymen of the oil tankers stranded outside the state would face immense hardship if they the tankers are not brought here at the earliest.