200 tankers damaged; 1,800 remain off road; 10 drivers injured
Even as the supply of petroleum products to Kashmir and Ladakh remained suspended on the eighth consecutive day today, tanker owners have claimed that around 200 oil tankers have been damaged by the protesters at various places in the Kashmir valley.
They also claimed that at least 10 tanker drivers have suffered injuries after they were allegedly assaulted by violent protesters. In the prevailing volatile situation, oil tanker owners have refused to restore petrol and diesel supply to the Kashmir valley till the state government ensures foolproof security of oil tankers and their drivers. Around 1,800 oil tankers had remained off the road following the decision of tanker owners to suspend supply to the Kashmir and Ladakh region.
“At least 200 oil tankers have been severely damaged by the protesters at various places in the Kashmir valley. The tankers, which had gone to Kargil and Leh, have also not been spared by the protesters. Our drivers and cleaners have been targeted and assaulted by the protesters at various places. Two of them have suffered critical injuries on their heads and got stitches,” Anan Sharma, president, J&K Oil Tankers Association, said.
He said there was a fear psychosis among drivers and cleaners who had refused to take tankers from Jammu depots to the Kashmir valley. “We have decided not to resume our supply to the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region, comprising Leh and Kargil, because there is a great threat to life of the drivers and helpers besides damage to the vehicles as our people have already suffered a huge loss due to severe damage to their vehicles,” Sharma said.
Tankers had suspended their supplies to the Kashmir valley and Ladakh regions on July 13 after the complaints of attacks on truck and tanker drivers by the youths riding on motorcycles and allegedly brandished guns. The drivers while narrating the harrowing time faced by them had alleged that the protesters had asked them not to bring Indian oil and other supplies to the Kashmir valley.
The president of the association said they had taken up the matter with senior police officers and other government functionaries, but failed to get a satisfactory response. “Till the state administration and security agencies ensure foolproof security of our drivers and their vehicles, we are not sending them to the Kashmir valley and Ladakh as risk to their lives would remain on a higher side,” Sharma said.
