Oil tankers from Assam have resumed operation for supply of petrol and diesel to Meghalaya with some of them arriving today in the State.
Reports said that 100 tankers have loaded fuel for supply to many parts of Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills including Shillong city. Some of them with Meghalaya registration have started to arrive.
Yesterday, the Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union had written to oil marketing companies informing them that its members will not load fuel onto tankers. The union had said that vehicles with number plates from Assam are being attacked in Meghalaya.
The union decided to resume transporting fuel after Meghalaya authorities assured that its drivers, tankers and staff would be provided police escort.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today said there is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the State.
In a tweet, Sangma also urged all citizens to not resort to panic buying of any essential commodities. He said his government has initiated necessary action to ensure no shortage of stock and supply.
Fuel stations in Shillong and its suburbs yesterday witnessed a mad rush of people trying to get their fill following the announcement by drivers of oil tankers from Assam to stop ferrying of petrol and diesel due to the current situation.
As people scrambled to fill up tanks fearing shortage, the queues of vehicles at fuel stations led to traffic snarls in many parts of Shillong.
Meanwhile, Assam police today allowed the goods-laden trucks to enter Meghalaya, for the first time after tensions rose between the two states following the Mukroh firing incident on November 22.
However, only vehicles with Meghalaya’s registration were allowed entry into the State.
Following the Mukroh incident, Assam police stopped all vehicular movement (both trucks and passenger vehicles) except Meghalaya registration vehicles to enter into Meghalaya at all entry points.
