GUWAHATI: Petroleum tankers attacked at Kangmai, drivers stop plying to Manipur till normalcy returns
Miscreants opened fire at LPG and petroleum tankers at Kangmai, 45 km off Jiribam on Tuesday forcing the North East Petroleum Mazdoor Union (NEPMU) to stop plying tankers to Manipur.
“We will not transport LPG cylinders or any petroleum products to Manipur from today (Tuesday) due to security reasons till restoration of normalcy in Manipur. We also urge the Indian Oil authority not to force our drivers to transport to Manipur,” NEPMU general secretary Ramen Das said yesterday.
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“If there is an emergency, the security forces can carry such consignment at their risk,” Das also said.
The incident took place at around 10.30 am of Tuesday between Kaimai Kuki and Tollen Kuki villages along NH 37 under the Tousem sub-division of
Tamenglong district, where five tankers were damaged including one carrying LPG and the rest carrying oil.
The miscreants allegedly ambushed the tankers and opened fire injuring a driver and a helper.
Following this incident, NEPMU announced that they would not ply tankers along the highway from Tuesday.
More than 45 to 50 tankers carrying LPG cylinders and petroleum products run from the IOCL depot in Silchar to Imphal via Jiribam regularly.
Meanwhile, the Joint Tribes Students' Association (JTSA), All Inpui Students' Union, Zeme Students' Organisation, Manipur: Rongmei Naga Students' Organization, and Manipur: Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi, strongly condemned the incident and demanded that the administration take action against the miscreants.
“In such an excruciating juncture, the Nagas are playing pivotal roles in accommodating and bringing tranquillity and peace among different communities in the state. Irrespective of different backgrounds and community/tribe, the JTSA strongly believes in the principle of unity in diversity and peaceful coexistence of people leaving aside its individual interest and differences,” a statement said.
The JTSA asserted that any untoward incident that happens in the future will not be tolerated and this statement is issued as a stern final warning against the defaulters. “Such an act of cowardly indulgence is a serious crime against humanity and an act of terrorism that even crosses the line beyond communalism especially during this hard time at this present scenario,” they said.
“Incidents like this not only tarnish the image of the particular community and state but also undermine the harmonious atmosphere we strive to maintain. We demand that immediate action be taken against those responsible miscreants for their heinous acts and we expect a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is administered by the laws of the State. It is essential that such incidents are not tolerated and the miscreants are held accountable for their actions,” they added.