Truckers’ strike hits fuel supply in J&K, petrol pumps see huge rush
Jammu/Srinagar, Jan 2 (PTI) There was massive queues at fuel stations across Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday as the truckers’ strike against stricter punishments in hit-and-run cases in the new law hit supplies in the region and triggered a panic-buying spree.
The J-K fuel station owners’ association said 90 per cent of petrol pumps have gone dry in Jammu and in the next few hours, all stocks will run out as 1,500 tankers carrying fuel to the Union territory and Ladakh were on strike.
The strike will continue and drivers will not return to work unless the new legislations are repealed, the All J&K Petrol Tanker Owners’ Association has said.
Hundreds of vehicles lined up at most of the fuel stations in Kashmir, leading to traffic snarls in some parts of Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley.
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which is set to replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause serious road accidents due to negligent driving and run away without informing police or the administration face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of Rs 7 lakh. Truckers in several states launched a protest against the “stringent provision” on Monday.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, V K Bidhuri said, “There is an impact of the nationwide strike here as well. But we have 21 days’ stock of diesel and 24 days’ stock of petrol available at the depots in the Valley. We also have over 20 days’ stock of LPG available.”
“I have held a meeting with the representatives of the oil companies as well. There is no need to panic,” he added.
KV Network
