GUWAHATI:
The movement of fuel tankers from Assam to Meghalaya started with police security from Meghalaya police from Jorabat on November 25 evening.
The movement of oil tankers to East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, and Ri-Bhoi districts were stopped from November 24.
“As many as 12 fuel tankers entered Meghalaya today evening with police security,” said Amit Singha, officer-in-charge of Byrhinat Police Station, Meghalaya.
The Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union (APMU), which decided to stop the supply of fuel to four districts of Meghalaya on Thursday (November 24), called of the strike following an assurance from the Meghalaya authorities for providing security to the tanker drivers inside Meghalaya.
“We have reviewed the decision and called off the strike after the Meghalaya government informed us that drivers will be provided security inside Meghalaya. The loading of the vehicle is going on at Betkuchi depot and we will run vehicles to Meghalaya from today,” said Ramen Das, general secretary, APMU.
However, a fuel crisis is likely to hit three districts of Assam’s Barak Valley, Mizoram and Tripura as more than 50 fuel tankers have been stranded at Deegharkhal in Cachar district as the vehicles bearing Assam registration numbers have not been allowed entry into Meghalaya through Deegharkhal Composite Check Post.
Fuel tankers coming from Mizoram and Tripura have to pass through Meghalaya to enter Assam from Barak Valley in their return journey from Mizoram and Tripura.
“Since clashes erupted on November 22, several hundreds of vehicles, including goods carrying trucks and fuel tankers have been stranded at Deegharkhal. On November 24, only Meghalaya registration vehicles were allowed entry into the state,” said Ishtiaque Khan, vice president, North East Tanker Owners Association.
“If these vehicles are not allowed entry into the state, there will be a crisis of tankers in Guwahati and we will not be able to send any consignment to Barak Valley, Mizoram and Tripura,” Khan said.
Assam Police have restricted entry of other vehicles except for Meghalaya registration vehicles to the neighbouring state since violence erupted in the state in the aftermath of Mukroh shooting incident.
Following the violence, Assam Police stopped all vehicular movements (both trucks and passenger vehicles) entering Meghalaya at all entry points.
“The situation at the clash site in West Karbi Anglong district continued to remain tense but under control with security forces ensuring no further flare-ups,” official sources said.
“Restrictions under CrPC Section 144 also remained in force in the area,” they added.
Meanwhile, the All Guwahati Taxi Drivers Union has set a deadline of three days for Assam Police to allow entry of Assam registration tourist taxis into Meghalaya failing which it will go for stir from Monday.