SHILLONG, AUG 16: Meghalaya government directed the deputy commissioners of the eleven districts to ask all the petrol outlets across the state to install Close Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) after the killing of a petrol pump worker in Garo hills even as the Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union (APMU) decide to withdraw their proposed strike from Monday.
The Meghalaya government also assured to intensify patrolling by police personnel close to the petrol pumps to thwart attempt cases dacoities following which the Assam based petroleum transporter called off its proposed strike.
The assurance was conveyed by the Meghalaya home minister Roshan Warjri during a meeting with Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union (APMU) delegation held on Saturday.
“We have decided to direct the deputy commissioners to ensure that they issue orders making it mandatory for installation of CCTVs in all the petrol outlets operating in the state including Garo Hills region,” Warjri told reporters after a meeting.
On the security demands, Warjri however said though it is not possible for the state government and police to provide security for all the petrol outlets but patrolling will be intensified.
Warjri added, “We have requested them (petroleum companies) to instead keep their own security guard with an assurance that the police will ensure that the law and order is maintained.” She also informed that the delegation agreed to withdraw it proposed strike slated to start from August 18.
The APMU had announced their decision to stop transportation of all petroleum products to Meghalaya from August 18 unless the state government provided tight security to the drivers especially in the Garo Hills region.
The decision was taken to protest the killing of Bittu Patel (24), a worker of an oil depot at Bokmagre, 7 km from Tura, West Garo hills district by two persons who came on a Pulsar bike.
While the police are yet to track down the perpetrators, Warjri however assured the delegation that the police are making all effort to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.
Warjri said, “We are also beefing up security in the Garo hills region and all over the state to ensure such incident do not occur in the near future.”
With regard to the enhancement of compensation to Patel’s family, Warjri said it is still being examined by the state government.
APMU leaders also brought to the notice of the government the extortion from tanker drivers in the Shillong bye-pass by miscreants. The government is inquiring into this aspects of the risk faced by petrol tanker drivers’.
Warjri said, “The government is still enquiring into the matter and necessary action will be taken.”
According to AMPU leader, the oil tankers plying the Shillong bye pass have to pay money ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1000.
AMPU general secretary Ramen Das termed the meeting as positive and announced that the union has decided to withdraw its agitation. He said, “We were given many assurances by the government which made us to revoke our decision to go ahead with the agitation.”
According to Das , over 100 oil tankers enters Meghalaya daily with 60 of these tankers going to Garo hills region.- By Our Reporter
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