Oil tanker operators supplying petroleum products to Kashmir and Ladakh went on an indefinite strike on Sunday, alleging that they were being targeted by mobs in the Valley and accusing the government of failing to provide adequate security as promised.
In view of repeated attacks on the oil tankers and merciless beating of drivers and cleaners by miscreants in the Valley, all Jammu and Kashmir oil tanker operators have decided to suspend petrol, diesel and kerosene oil supplies.Anand Sharma, President, Jammu and Kashmir Petrol Tanker Owners Association
Sharma alleged that the failure of security agencies to protect drivers, cleaners and tankers had forced the association to take this decision.
Unfulfilled Promises Led To Strike
Oil tanker drivers have been targeted for the last several days in the Valley. Two tanker drivers were mercilessly beaten by a mob near Khannabal in Anantnag district on Saturday. Both arms of the drivers were fractured. The vehicles were also badly damaged. At least a dozen tankers have been damaged so far.Anand Sharma
Nearly 270 oil tankers have been destroyed in the violent outbreak in the valley following the killing of Burhan Wani in July.
On Friday, panic had gripped people in the Valley when rumours spread saying the authorities had decided to suspend fuel supplies to the Valley.
Baseer Khan, Kashmir Divisional Commissioner had denied the rumours saying adequate security would be provided to oil tanker operators to ensure uninterrupted supply to the Valley.
The decision of the oil tanker owners association to go on a strike is likely to plunge the Valley into a fuel crisis at a time when the authorities are battling an unrest that has so far left 67 people dead and nearly 5,000 injured.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)