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People from Dimapur seen in queue outside a fuel outlet in Lahorijan, in Assam on Monday. (EM Images/Caisii Mao)[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, April 30 (EMN): The indefinite shutdown of fuel outlets statewide which began Monday morning forced the citizens of Dimapur to make a beeline to neighbouring Assam for refuel even as fuel stations/petrol pumps in Dimapur remained closed heeding to the call for shutdown.
The shutdown was announced by the Kohima Petrol Pump Dealers Association (KPPDA), the Dimapur Petrol Pump Dealers Association (DPPDA), the Nagaland Tanker Transport Association (NTTA), and the Oil Tanker Drivers Union (OTDUD). The petroleum retailers and transporters are demanding the safe release of a driver and his helper who were kidnapped from New Helipong village in Tuensang district on April 22.
Many motorists including auto rickshaws rushed to neighbouring towns of Lahorijan and Bokajan in Assam to get their tanks filled but it was informed that some petrol pumps also ran out of oil in Assam, leaving many motor vehicles dry and stranded. Some people who went from Dimapur also reported that auto rickshaw drivers walked till Bokajan to get fuel.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror, the president of DPPDA, Neingutoulie Kenguruse said that the associations, excluding the drivers union, met with the deputy commissioner of Dimapur on April 30 to discuss the matter. “The government is also trying their best to do everything to get back the abducted persons at the earliest with full cooperation from both sides.”
Kenguruse also informed that the associations will be meeting with Nagaland Commissioner Sentiyanger Imchen on April 1. He expressed hope for a quick resolution to the imbroglio.