Guwahati: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday said that there is no shortage of gasoline and diesel in the state, hours after the Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union ordered to halt fuel transportation to Meghalaya due to a border dispute.
The chief minister declared that his administration has taken the necessary steps to ensure that there will be adequate supplies and stock.
He also urged people not to rush out and acquire any necessities.
“There is no shortage of petrol and diesel in Meghalaya. Necessary actions have been initiated by the Government to ensure no shortage of stocks and supply. Request all citizens to not resort to panic buying of any essentials,” Sangma tweeted.
The Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union announced on Friday that it has halted fuel deliveries to that state following the shooting incident along the border between Assam and Meghalaya
The Union sent letters to PSU oil marketing companies informing them of their decision to not load fuel in tankers.
“It has been brought to our notice that in Meghalaya mainly Ri-Bhoi, Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills districts the situation remains abnormal. Our members are afraid to go to the above-mentioned area for supplying petroleum products,” Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union said in the letter.
“Therefore we have decided not to take any load from today onwards until and unless the Government of Meghalaya assures them of the safety and security of T/T (tank trucks) crews,” the letter added.
Six people, including five Meghalaya residents and one member of the Assam Forest Guard, were killed in a shooting incident on Tuesday in the Mukroh area near the Assam-Meghalaya border.
An FIR regarding the incident has been filed by the Meghalaya Police.
The reported altercation allegedly took place near the West Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya and the West Karbi Anglong region of Assam. An Assamese forest guard was one of those who died.