Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 20: In view of the repeated attacks on the oil tankers and mercilessly beating up of the drivers and cleaners by miscreants in Kashmir valley, all J&K oil tanker operators have suspended the petrol, diesel and kerosene oil supplies to the entire Kashmir valley, Ladakh and parts of Jammu region.
Announcing the decision, Anan Sharma, president J&K Petrol Tanker Owners Association told the media-persons here that for the last several weeks petrol tankers were operating in Kashmir and Kargil-Leh on the assurance of the Government agencies that adequate security would be ensured to the petrol/ diesel tanker operators. But unfortunately, the drivers are being targeted for the last several weeks. Even the Helpline/ Emergency Numbers provided in Kashmir to the truckers and tanker operators do not respond.
Yesterday, two tanker drivers were mercilessly beaten up by the mob near Khannabal (Anantnag). Both the arms of the drivers have been fractured. The police was though at some distance but the hapless drivers and cleaners could not be rescued. The vehicles were badly damaged. At least a dozen vehicles / tankers have been damaged. The Government has totally failed to ensure security to the drivers and vehicles operating there. He demanded compensation for the damage caused to the vehicles and relief of Rs 3 lakh each for the severely injured drivers.
Sharma said that in view of the situation, the oil tanker operators have decided to go on indefinite strike and suspend supplies to Kashmir and Ladakh besides parts of Jammu region. He said that Government is responsible for the new crisis emerging in the State.
Meanwhile, Khair Din Wani, president Oil Tanker Drivers and Cleaners Union told the Excelsior that they have conveyed their concern to the Divisional Commissioner Jammu and IGP Jammu Zone as well. He said no tanker lifted supplies from any of three oil depots of Indian Oil Corp, HPCL or BPCL at Railway Station today. He said drivers Pritam Kumar and Amrik Singh were brutally beaten up and their vehicles attacked with stones near Khannabal on Thursday. Their arms and legs have been fractured while being beaten with lathis and rods. An eye of Amrik Singh has been badly damaged.
Under such circumstances, the drivers will not operate to Kashmir valley. They all have been gone on indefinite strike and supplies to the entire State stands suspended from today onwards. He said the DC Jammu and ADC approached them on the directions of Divisional Commissioner Jammu but Union has conveyed their concern and placed three main demands, which included ensuring fully security, sanction adequate relief to the injured drivers and provide compensation for over dozen vehicles damaged.
Minister of State for Transport Sunil Kumar Sharma when contacted said that issue of security to the drivers in Valley is genuine. They are risking their lives and maintaining supplies for the people of Kashmir and other areas of Ladakh. “It is very unfortunate that miscreants are attacking them”.
He said that suspension of supplies to Jammu region is unjustified and they should maintain it here as there is no such problem they are facing. He said that Government would ensure security to the oil tanker operators in Kashmir also and will also provide relief. He said that he will be taking up the matter with the Divisional Commissioner and IGP Kashmir and senior officers in Jammu as well.
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