Imphal | Fuel tanker drivers in Manipur have called off their steering-down strike following assurances from Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, including compensation for drivers injured in the recent Noney attack. However, movement of petroleum tankers and LPG vehicles will remain suspended until a stakeholders’ meeting with the government on September 15.

An office-bearer of the All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers’ Association (AMPPDA) said the association expects the meeting with government authorities on Tuesday, after which drivers would decide on resuming operations.

“We’re expecting a stakeholders’ meeting with the government authority on September 15,” the functionary said.

The drivers are expected to resume loading petrol and diesel from the Malom depot and LPG from the Sekmai bottling plant, besides transporting loaded petroleum products from Jiribam to Imphal, once the meeting is concluded.

The strike was called after a September 10 attack on an oil tanker convoy in Noney along NH-37, in which several drivers were injured and vehicles were damaged. The drivers had demanded safe passage for fuel tankers and stronger security arrangements before resuming operations.

The Chief Minister’s assurances, including monetary compensation for drivers who suffered grievous injuries, prompted the association to suspend the strike. The association said drivers from all communities transport essential commodities meant for people across communities and appealed to all groups not to target drivers.

The drivers had also staged a sit-in outside the Malom oil depot on the outskirts of Imphal during the protest. In a statement, the association expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the public during the strike and thanked people for supporting drivers involved in the transportation of essential commodities.

The Manipur IOCL Retail Outlet Dealers Association separately urged Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and the state government to ensure the safety and security of drivers and helpers engaged in petroleum transportation. It also called for timely and increased replenishment of fuel stocks at the Malom depot, describing it as critical to the state’s fuel security.

Manipur has 227 retail outlets, of which 157 are operated by IOCL.

The tanker drivers had earlier sought written security assurances before resuming movement along NH-37. Their demands also included a formal government agreement backed by a Gazette notification, compensation for injured drivers and damaged vehicles, and action against those allegedly involved in attacks and illegal taxation of vehicles carrying essential commodities.

The Manipur Police Control Room has maintained that NH-37 remains open and that security cover is being provided to vehicles. However, tanker drivers had sought additional assurances specifically for fuel convoys before returning to normal operations.