GUWAHATI, March 20 - The strike by the Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union following the killing of one of its members, somewhere in the Jorabat-Naya Bungalow area on the night of March 15, continued for the second day today.
Supply from the IOC�s tap-off point (TOP) located at Betkuchi in the city remained suspended since yesterday following the strike. The TOP supplies fuel to Meghalaya, Bhutan, Kamrup, Nalbari, parts of North Bank, etc. Around 320 trucks carry fuel from the TOP daily.
An oil tanker carrying kerosene was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants near Jorabat in the wee hours of March 16. The body of the handyman, identified as Jiten Das of Nalbari, was found at Naya Bungalow inside Meghalaya on March 17. Police suspect he was murdered.
Gorchuk police has arrested the driver identified as Golabi Mahato of Bihar on suspicion. The driver was handed over by the Union members to police.
Authorities of the IOCL today held a discussion with the striking workers in the presence of officials of the district administration. The Union members sought a proper investigation and punishment of the guilty. They also demanded a compensation to the family of the deceased.
The district administration and IOCL authorities assured to look into the demand for compensation. Moreover, the police investigating the case assured to �come to a conclusion within seven days�.
The district administration and IOCL authorities requested the APMU to withdraw their strike and start the loading operations. The striking workers are likely to resume work from tomorrow, sources said.
