Oil tanker body suspends fuel supply to Kashmir

JAMMU - The Jammu and Kashmir Oil Tankers Association refused to ply their vehicles in the area on Wednesday (June 30), alleging that one of their drivers had been assaulted in the valley.

Hundreds of Kashmir-bound fuel tankers, which were scheduled to leave the valley today, were stranded at oil depots in Jammu.

“The driver was taking fuel to Srinagar. When he noticed that there is violence going on, he stopped the truck. The protestors pulled out the driver and beat him up brutally. The government is well aware of the situation but is keeping mum. If such conditions continue, then none of our vehicles will supply fuel to Srinagar,” said Ranjeet Singh Raina, President of Jammu and Kashmir Oil Tankers Association.

The association demanded security from the government to resume supplies.Our product is inflammable and a small mistake can lead to a big accident. If such a thing happens, the driver will die as well as many other people will die with him. So we demand security from the government to supply fuel safely to its destination,” said Devender Singh, a driver.

This is the second time since 2008 that fuel supplies have been suspended. Earlier, they were suspended during the Amarnath land row agitation, when truckers and tanker drivers came under attack in the valley. (ANI)