LPG stockists protest demands by IM group
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 23 2008: Sit-in demonstrations were staged at different places of the state today to denounce monetary demand slapped by the NSCN (IM) against LPG stockists (godown) .

With the LPG agencies unable to cough or unwilling succumb to the diktat of the rebel group whose top leaders had been regularly involved in peace parleys with representatives of the Central Government after cessation of hostilities was announced, labours engaged at the sekmai Bottling (LPG) Plant and LPG distributors along with employees resorted to the democratic form of protest to highlight their woes.

Sit-in-protest staged to highlight the sufferings due to threat to bottling plant

Owing to imposition of monetary demand by the NSCN (IM) and non-compliance to such directive LPG carriers, particularly bullet tankers had been reluctant to ply to refineries located at Assam State thereby resulting cessation of normal activities at the Sekmai Bottling Plant.

Highlighting hardships endured by those dependent on the bottling plant for the sustenance, workers under the banner of AOC Contractual Labourers' Union, Sekmai Branch staged the sit-in-protest at the Plant's gate today.

The same day, LPG distributors protested imposition of the monetary demand by the armed group at Keishampat Junction.

Interacting with media-persons at the protest site, president of the labourers' Union Sairem Joy highlighted that source of sustenance of 75 workers engaged at the plant on a daily wage amount of Rs 150 are being denied after the extortion insistence of the armed group totally crippled functioning of the Bottling Plant.

He also confided that functionaries of Digboi head-office of the union have been intimated on the grim situation gripping the plant and its workers.

The protestors put up banners and placards appealing for ensuring disturbance free work atmosphere, calling upon the Government to amicably settle the issue through talks with the group concerned and assure free movement of LPG carriers.

It is informed that further agitation along with transporters and the general public would be held tomorrow.

It is pertinent to mention that the NSCN (IM) had demanded payment of annual godown tax of Rs 15 lakh from the AOC run sekmai Bottling Plant and LPG distributors.

Moreover, consequent to the demand, 20 bullet tankers were forced to return from a Senapati district area on December 8 followed by a similar incident two days later forcing the transporters to cease service from December 16 .

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an AOC official expressed that there is no sign yet of the transporters likely to resume service as no effective measure had been initiated by the Government.

On the same issue, LPG distributors/agents protested tax insistence by the armed group with the Keishampat demonstration appealing to all armed organisations to refrain from imposing unjustifiable/huge monetary demand with particular reference to the NSCN (IM) group to enable safe and smooth functioning of the transporters/distributors.

Some of the protestors also asserted that till State authorities take up appropriate measures for resumption of the bottling plant LPG distributors would suspend service.

They also pointed that agencies associated with distribution of LPGs to the Army and para-military forces are not party to the ongoing suspension of work movement.