Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 23: While two more tanker drivers were seriously injured in yet another attack by the mob at Bijbehara in district Anantnag last night, the oil tankers operators continued to suspend fuel supplies to Kashmir and Ladakh on the forth consecutive day today.
A member of the Oil Tanker Operators Association said that at least eleven vehicles severely damaged arrived from Kashmir here today. They were returning after off loading fuel supplies in Ladakh. Two drivers Mohinder Singh of tanker No. JK02AU/8735 and another one, Manzoor Ahmed of tanker No. JK05B/1246 were seriously injured in attack. Manzoor was shifted in an ambulance to a hospital by CRPF in Srinagar whereas, Mahinder has been admitted to GMC & Hospital, Jammu.
Anan Sharma, president Jammu & Kashmir Petroleum Tankers Owners Association said that there was no proper response from the Government regarding fool proof security cover and arrangements made till now in Kashmir, therefore the operators’ strike for operation in Kashmir Valley and Ladakh would be continued. He said many drivers with multiple injuries arrived from Kashmir today and they were mostly targeted at Awantipora and Bijbehara by the mob. The drivers are continuously being attacked and under such circumstances, there is no scope of restoration of supplies to Valley.
Khair Din Wani, president Oil Tanker Drivers and Cleaners Association and general secretary Surinder Singh said that they took up the matter afresh with the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, who directed the DC Anantnag to provide Rs one lakh relief to the seriously injured driver undergoing treatment at Srinagar hospital. He said that there was no response from the Government regarding fool proof security cover. More and more vehicles are being attacked. He said they have demanded in writing from the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir regarding full security cover to the drivers and tankers and if they take responsibility the operators would resume supplies to Kashmir and Ladakh.
The leaders of Tanker Operators Union/ Owners Association further said that president Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rakesh Gupta tried to mislead the people and sabotage their strike through a statement issued on behalf of Tankers Union on Monday which were carried by some newspapers . They said Chamber president has nothing to do with their strike and he should refrain from interfering in their affair and issuing statements on their behalf. They said the statement issued by Mr Gupta regarding resumption of supplies to Kashmir on Tuesday was totally false and fabricated.
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