25 drivers, cleaners beaten up; 16 vehicles damaged
Jammu   06-Aug-2010

While the oil tanker operators continued to suspend supplies of diesel and petrol to Kashmir valley on the third consecutive day, the operators union today announced its decision to snap supplies to Ladakh region too, from today onwards after a violent mob attacked convoy of tankers coming from Kargil in Srinagar city last evening, beat up over two dozen drivers and cleaners and damaged 16 vehicles.

These hapless drivers and cleaners who arrived in the winter capital here today revealed the incident which took place near HMT Chowk and Pantha Chowk in between 6 pm and 6.30 pm in Srinagar. The victims alleged that they reached Jammu during early hours today and received severe injuries. Two of them including Balwant Singh, son of Harnam Singh of Jammu, cleaner of tanker No. JK02X/ 8575 have received fractures in arms. Eye of driver Sonu Kumar of tanker No. JK02G/912 was damaged as a broken piece of glass pierced through it.

They reported the matter to their Union office Narwal in Jammu here today where the president J&K Petrol Tanker Owners Association, Anan Sharma and Oil Tanker Operators Union chief Ranjit Singh announced their decision to suspend supplies to Kargil and Leh districts too. They said the supplies to Kashmir valley have already been suspended for the indefinite period while no tanker will operate for Ladakh region from today onwards till the Government assured full security cover to the tankers and drivers/ cleaners and ensures compensation to the victims and tanker owners whose vehicles were damaged in violence in Kashmir.

The victims, who were produced before the media by the Union members, disclosed that they were returning from Kargil after off loading petrol, diesel and kerosene oil. Four vehicles of security personnel were escorting them. When they reached near HMT Chowk, a large mob appeared on the main road at around 6.10 pm. While the security vehicles disappeared from the scene they were made sacrificial goats and the mob started stonning on all the vehicles. Many drivers and cleaners were dragged out, way laid and beaten up. They were abused and warned to be burnt alongwith tankers if they dared to come again to Kashmir.

They said they faced the wrath of agitating Kashmiris for about half an hour and no securitymen were found nearby to protect them. The wind screen and window panes of many vehicles were smashed. Lights of many vehicles were damaged and drivers had to face lot of problems as they had to drive up to Jammu in darkness during night without lights. The victims claimed that they will not move even an inch as they can't operate at the cost of their lives. Moreover, security personnel deserted them when they were trapped from all the sides at Srinagar.

Anan Sharma said that over 200 oil tankers have been damaged so far in Kashmir in past 15 days. There are nearly 1560 oil tankers in the State and about 250 to 300 are operating per day between Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions. He said they have no problem in operating up to Banihal and supplies to Doda-Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch are going on smoothly. Compensation is the first demand and full security cover is the second. There will not be any compromise on the security of the vehicles and operators. He disclosed that over 30 tankers were stranded near Kangan this evening as they were returning from Ladakh and not allowed to move ahead by police.

Responding to a question, Mr Sharma said nearly 350 loaded tankers are held up at Jeevan depot of Bharat Petroleum and IndianOil for the last several days. Nearly 700 drivers, cleaners and helpers are struck there and facing starvation in view of curfew. There is no arrangement of food for them from Administration's side. The workers of the companies at depot have abandoned and refused to off load the tankers. "These people be helped and allowed to move back under security cover. These vehicles are losing Rs 3000 per day and for the last 5-6 days they have suffered huge losses," he said.

Minister for Transport and CAPD Qamar Ali Akhoon, when contacted, said that Government has taken serious note of last evening's incident near HMT Chowk. He said highway security has already been handed over to the Army. There should not be any problem on the highway as the vehicles reached safe from Kargil and even from Awantipura to Jammu. He admitted that there was problem going on for the last several weeks in Srinagar and even anybody including securitymen can fall victim to the violent mob. He said in a high level meeting held at Srinagar today, the Divisional and District administrations have been directed to provide full security cover to the supplies to be transported. Yesterday's incident also came under discussion.

He said the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, DC and IGP were directed to hold dialogue with the Tanker Operator Unions and ensure them security. He said all the tankers and the operators injured in the incidents will be compensated by Government. They should return to operation and face this challenge by coming to the support of Government. In reply to a question, he claimed that fuel supplies in Kashmir were sufficient for at least one month.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Nasima Lankar, was not available for comments. Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal however, maintained that he alongwith IGP Jammu Ashok Gupta will hold meeting with the office bearers of the Oil Tankers Union tomorrow. He termed last evening's incident as unfortunate and said that security of the tankers moving to Valley is being enhanced and all of them who have suffered damages or injuries during operation in Valley in last one month or so will be compensated. It has already been decided by the Government.

Dr Kotwal further said that out of over 300 vehicles stranded at Jeevan Depot of BPCL and IOC in Srinagar, 58 were off loaded today as the administration persuaded the workers to resume their duties. A meeting was also held with the Oil Companies officials at Srinagar today and by tomorrow, all the tankers will be cleared. He said there was problem in transportation of fuel to Jeevan depots while there was not much problem at Pampore depot of HPCL. He said type of fuel is being carried by each tanker including diesel, petrol, kerosene and aircrafts fuel. He said supplies to Leh were also being carried through Manali route but in view of Yatra, fuel is running short in some areas including Pahalgam.