Jammu, June 30: The Oil Tankers’ Association Wednesday withdrew their strike call following assurances by the government to provide adequate security en-route Kashmir Valley besides compensating them in the event of any damage to their vehicles.The oil tankers had suspended fuel supply to Kashmir Valley following their call on Wednesday morning for indefinite strike alleging that protestors in the Valley were attacking the tanker drivers and damaging their vehicles.
“At least seven drivers’ have sustained injuries and 36 oil tankers were damaged in separate attacks by the ‘miscreants’ across the Kashmir valley since last few days,” president of the Association Anan Sharma said. He alleged that some miscreants damaged at least 26 tankers at Churu near Khanabal, while in a similar attack about ten tankers were damaged near Notified Area Committee office Ganderbal, leaving seven drivers injured.
Taking notice of their call, the district administration, on behalf of the state government, immediately swung into action and held negotiations with the representatives of the Association. During one-and-a-half-hour meeting
with Divisional Commissioner (Jammu) Dr Pawan Kotwal, IGP Ashok K Gupta and SSP (Jammu) Basant Kumar Rath the Association members were assured that adequate security will be provided to vehicles along the highway.Official sources said that the divisional commissioner Jammu also directed release of cash compensation of Rs 25,000 each, to the injured drivers, while assuring that the compensation for the damaged vehicles will also be released soon.On their assurance, the tankers association withdrew their indefinite strike call, while saying that they will resume the supplies to the valley from tomorrow morning.“The government has assured adequate security arrangements for the safety of drivers and oil tankers”,president oil tankers association president Anan Sharma told Greater Kashmir.
Sharma said the government has assured that security will be provided to the tankers from the other side of the Jawahar tunnel up to Pampore depot.
He said the tankers carrying supplies to Leh will be provided security up to Sonamarg.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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