IMPHAL, August 13: A truck driver who was critically injured in the attack of blockade supporters on the NH-37 on August 3 succumbed to his injuries at 5:50 am today.
The deceased has been identified as Md Rahman, 35, s/o Mufi of Keirao Mayai Leikai. He had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Shija Hospital and Research Institute since the fateful day.
Furious with the death of Rahman, the Transporters and Drivers Council Manipur and All Manipur Road Transporters, Drivers and Motor Workers Union have decided to go on strike for 17 hours beginning from today midnight.
Addressing media persons today, secretary of All Manipur Road Transporters, Drivers and Motor Workers Union, H Kulamani stated that the union strongly condemned brutal assaults on drivers and handymen by blockade and bandh supporters.
The drivers have been rendering valuable services to the public by transporting essential commodities.
The inhumane treatment meted out to the drivers will be a setback to the society, he asserted.
He further questioned the blockade supporters if they would get their demands by simply assaulting the innocent drivers.
He demanded that the state government should give sufficient ex-gratia along with a government job for the next of kin of the deceased driver.
Health Minister L Jayentakumar also interacted with the victim’s family members and members of the drivers’ union.
He condemned the incident and assured that necessary action would be taken up from the side of the state government.
The members of Transporters and Drivers Council Manipur and All Manipur Road Transporters, Drivers and Motor Workers Union paid tribute to Rahman at Mantripukhri before performing the last rites.
Ukhrul reels under acute fuel shortage
By John K. Kaping
UKHRUL August 13: Ukhrul district has completely run out of petroleum fuels since the last 4-5 days as the two main oil depots in Ukhrul which are located at Hundung junction and Kharasom junction have closed their counters following the depots have exhausted their stock owing to the on-going agitation of the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee demanding creation of a full fledged Sadar Hills district.
Even though there have been reports of goods laden trucks being escorted through the Jessami highway under full-proof security arrangement, there has been no supply of fuel to the Ukhrul oil depots. There are reports that even though diesel can be found at the rate of Rs 60 if one is lucky enough from the black marketers, it is almost impossible to find petrol in Ukhrul at the moment even if one is willing to pay more money. Petrol is reportedly unavailable even with the black marketers.
Meanwhile, the acute shortage of diesel and the almost nil stock of petrol in Ukhrul have affected vehicular traffic in the district, especially the taxis operating in the district. The shortage has also affected various private businesses, NGOs, institutes and offices.
Meanwhile, even though the blockade along the National Highways has yet to affect the prices of essential commodities in the district, another problem arising out of it is the shortage of LPG gas with numerous households reporting emptiness of their cylinders.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/driver-injured-in-blockade-violence-succumbs-union-to-go-on-strike/