Koijam mulls ESMA to end oil strike

IMPHAL, March 22: Manipur Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam today blamed the Assam Oil division of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) for trying to "escape" from their responsibility of supplying fuel to the state. Referring to the impasse between the government and transporters of petroleum products over compensation to 15 oil tankers damaged in recent rebel attacks, Koijam said the onus for paying compensation lay with the IOC as the tankers were hired by the corporation. He, however, said the government was ready to provide security to the IOC for transportation of petrol, diesel and kerosene. The Chief Minister stated this in the Assembly today while replying to a call attention motion moved by veteran Congress leader Rishang Keishing. Stating that the strike by the transporters had created scarcity of oil in Manipur, Keishing asked the government to spell out its policy on the matter. Koijam, in his reply, said the state was only a consumer. He, however, assured all help to the IOC in solving its problems. He said the owners of the 15 tankers, burnt down by militants on March 8, demanded Rs 3 lakh each. The transporters have now refused to resume their services after government turned down their demands. The Chief Minister charged the petroleum transporters with holding the state to ransom by making irrational demands. He warned the transporters of stern action if they continued harassing the public. Koijam also hinted at the possibility of invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act, if required. Koijam also said the IOC had handed over its Imphal depot to state food and civil supplies department. Expressing surprise over this, the Chief Minister said he had already filed a complaint with Union petroleum minister Ram Naik. He said about 84 oil tankers were now stranded at Khatkhati. Nearly 60 Manipur Rifles personnel had already reached Khatkhati to escort the tankers, the Chief Minister said. He accused an Assam MLA of creating trouble and preventing the tankers from proceeding to Imphal. About security arrangements, Koijam said the Army patrolled the highway three times a week and the troops provided proper security on these days. He said the government had tied up with Army to allow safe passage of tankers on the days when the Army undertook "road opening patrol". The Chief Minister said his government identified six points between Imphal and Mao for establishing police posts.