Meghalaya police has been accused of harassment and high-handedness during an operation carried out on fuel theft in Ri Bhoi district.
The North East Petroleum Mazdoor Union has stated that oil tanker drivers and helpers were subjected to torture in the name of malpractices during a raid carried out by the police from 18th Mile in Ri Bhoi since November 24.
Fourteen people were held by Meghalaya police in raids conducted in seven locations along the National Highway 6.
“They forcibly caught some tankers those who were stranded outside the dhaba for fooding at 22 Mile and registering the cases. Next day also the Police personnel detained some loaded tankers without any proper reason,” union general secretary Ramen Das said.
According to Das, as a result the innocent tanker crews were facing problems and now fear to load petroleum products destined to Meghalaya.
“In our opinion on behalf of the workers if any case caught red handed then authority can take action as per laws. We are also cooperating with the authority without any compromise. But in the name of malpractices etc. any innocent persons should not be harassed,” the union said in a letter to Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister, Comingone Ymbon.
The union said as per from reliable sources, if any driver of these tankers carrying petroleum products denies the allegations then the police personnel physically tortured them and forcefully took their statements and photographs too.
“Whereas these crews while giving their services to the people of Meghalaya are also putting their lives at risk. Therefore they decided not to take any load in favour of Meghalaya (petroleum products) from IOCL, BPCL and HPCL from 29th November till the matter is resolved,” Das said.
The union further sought an immediate end to the harassments and urged the minister to conduct an enquiry and withdraw all cases against the arrested tanker drivers without any conditions.
