Guwahati: The Director of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affaris in Meghalaya, Pravin Bakshi on Thursday wrote to the Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union stating that protection will be in place for the transport of petroleum and oil into the state.
This follows the latter’s declaration that it would stop providing petroleum to Meghalaya due to the recent acts of violence in the state.
The Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union had previously stated that it will stop supplying oil and petroleum to Meghalaya as a result of reported assaults on truck drivers and vandalism against taxis and other vehicles with Assam registration numbers.
However, it should be noted that this was not a decision that the Assam government had made formally. The Meghalaya administration has since come forward and guaranteed safety to petroleum transport tankers from Assam that enter the state despite the prohibition on interstate travel.
The deputy commissioners and SPs in each district of Meghalaya have reportedly been ordered to see that the appropriate precautions are taken to ensure the safe transportation of tankers carrying petroleum.
Bakshi has also requested that provisions be made for patrolling and police escort wherever appropriate in order to ensure that tankers and freight vehicles carrying crucial supplies into the state operate without incident.
At least six persons, including civilians, were murdered in a shooting incident at Mukhrow in the border region of Assam and Meghalaya, which sparked the terrible situation. According to the Meghalayan authorities, the event was caused by Assam Police officers crossing into Meghalayan territory and acting aggressively with their rifles.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also called for the creation of an inquiry commission to look into the circumstances leading up to the occurrence and a fair investigation into the tragedy.
Top Assam Police personnel have been suspended, transferred, or restricted to their reserves in the West Karbi Anglong district, which is near to the area where the incident occurred.
The Assam Chief Minister has also told the Assam Police to use prudence when firing a gun and to avoid using it aggressively. Nevertheless, despite diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation, residents on both sides have taken it upon themselves to seek justice for the victims, which has resulted in violent events against Assamese tourists and automobiles throughout the state.