Imphal (Manipur): The All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association ( AMPPTA) and All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers Association ( AMPPDA) has launched out an immediate and indefinite “Quit Steering” strike and shutdown of Oil Depo and Petrol Stations after unidentified gunmen opened fire at petroleum tankers and thrashed drivers along National Highway 37, Imphal Jiribam road.

President of All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association L. Somendro during a press conference at Keithelmanbi, said that on Monday night 169 loaded oil and gas tankers were coming towards Imphal along National Highway 37. As the tankers were passing through the Nungba area in Tamenglong district at around 8:30 pm, the unidentified gunmen started firing on two of the oil tankers. He also said that another 10 tankers were also vandalized by the unidentified gunmen.

 “Luckily, the drivers and handymen of the two trucks escaped without injuries”, he said.

The two tankers with registration numbers AS01 GC 3847 and  AS25 BC 5299 bear bullet marks on the front and its body.

While saying that despite repeated requests to the state government and authority concerned to provide adequate escorts(security) to vehicles as drivers, truck and tanker owners are facing frequent extortion from unknown miscreants on the National highway, he said “the government and authority has turned a blind eye”.

Somendro further said that for the past years in several points along the highway groups(outfits) had been extorting Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 from one vehicle. But now the extortion amount has been raised to  Rs 4500 per vehicle. “If this continues how will drivers and owners survive? The Monday night incident is the reason for not complying to their(groups) demands. If anything happens to the drivers and handymen who are working hard to bring essential items for the people of the state, who will be responsible”, he said.

He further said that the only oil depot in Malom in Imphal West and petrol stations will remain closed until a resolution is finalized with authority concerned.