IMPHAL, October 23: The steering wheel-down agitation of the tankers drivers which commenced from last afternoon has been suspended today taking into consideration the Ningol Chakkouba festival.
The tankers drivers will resume their normal duties from tomorrow.
Speaking to media persons during a meet held today at ISBT, A Deven Singh general secretary of All Manipur Petroleum Transporter Association (AMPTA), said that representatives of several transporters`™ body who endorsed the agitation today met with the CAF&PD Minister at his office chamber at 11 am.
The transporters`™ body included the All Manipur Inter State Bus Owners`™ Association (AMISBOA), NH-37/53 Truck Owners`™ Welfare Association and All Manipur Petroleum Tankers Drivers`™ Union (AMPTDA).
The meeting was also attended by Lamlai MLA-Ksh Biren, Konthoujam MLA K Sarat and senior depot managers of IOC, SI Singh.
Following an appeal made by the Government to suspend the agitation in the interest of the general public and taking into consideration the Ningol Chakkouba, the transporter suspended the agitation, he said.
It may be noted that the tankers driver resorted to protest demanding the police to withdraw an FIR lodge against Bhupenchandra Ghosh, president All Manipur Petroleum Transporter Association (AMPTA).
The case was lodged by one tanker driver namely Nirmal Lama, 34, of Gautam Basti, Khatkhati, Assam driving for Heirangoithong Service Station (oil pump) who had charged that he had been intimidated and assaulted by Bhupenchandra Gosh, using small arm on October 21.
However, the tankers driver refuted the allegation levelled against Ghosh was baseless adding that only a minor scuffle broke out following misbehaviour of Nirmal who was under the influence of alcohol.
Meanwhile, informing that the tankers driver will resume their normal duty, Deven asked the Nirmal Lama who is involved in the fiasco to tender his apology to the Union physically by November 10.
Terming the October 21 incident as an internal crisis within the tanker drivers`™ family, Deven urged external forces who are trying to blow the incident out of proportion, not to interfere into their matter.