Fuel pumps reopen after meeting with Govt

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 13: Following an agreement with the Government, the Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity (MPDF) has called off their agitation and oil pumps have been reopened from today.
MPDF struck a deal with the State Government at a meeting held this afternoon with the Commissioner (Home).
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club after the meeting, MPDF convenor Laishram Gopendro announced that oil pumps would be reopened with immediate effect considering the difficulties faced by the public and the Government’s positive response to their (MPDF) demands.
Although MPDF and the Government have reached an agreement on enhanced security measures, the Government has not yet fully translated the other demands into action, Gopendro said.
Regarding the demand for the Government to take full responsibility in case of any further bomb attacks and casualties to dealers and staff of oil pumps, the Government only assured that the same demand would be examined as per the existing rules and guidelines, he said.
With regard to the demand for awarding compensation for the damages done at Elidas Fuel Station, the Government maintained that the particular demand would be considered after the damages are assessed by a committee, according to the MPDF convenor.
While expressing regret for the difficulties and inconveniences caused to the public by their agitation, the convenor said that they were constrained to close oil pumps following repeated armed attacks which had the potential of causing large-scale destruction and casualties, and at the same time exert pressure on the Government to take up measures which can check such attacks effectively.    
He maintained that MPDF had nothing to do with the sale of petrol and diesel in black market.
On January 9, the day the agitation was announced, a large number of people rushed to oil pumps and bought fuel in substantial quantities. At the same time, there were also reports of fuels being brought from other districts where oil pumps were open as usual, Gopendro said.