Sunil Haleangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP/SP)
Mangaluru, Jan 4: LPG tanker drivers who had struck work and were holding protest demonstration near the office of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) office in the outskirts of the city ended the protest and began to transport LPG normally after the police used force to quell the protest.
Sources said that most of the 800 odd bullet tankers have resumed work, and that in case of drivers who have continued to remain away from duty, alternative drivers have been hired. Sources also said that as some of the protesting drivers have been removed from service, the other drivers resumed work fearing similar action on them.
Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) state president, Muneer Katipalla, said that protests will continue, although the police have not been allowing protesters near HPCL office. He acknowledged that about half of the drivers have resumed work and that the remaining ones have been continuing with protest.
On Sunday, DYFI and CITU activists mobbed Suratkal police station, demanding suspension of assistant commissioner of police of city north division, Madan Gaonkar, for crushing the protest with brutal force. A huge procession was taken out from Kana to Suratkal police station. The protesters accused the police officer of joining hands with the company and gas tanker owners. Muneer Katipalla accused Gaonkar of receiving money from tanker owners to suppress the protest, and demanded to hold departmental inquiry against him. He said a written memorandum would soon be handed over to new police commissioner in this regard.
"The law says that police are not allowed to interfere in labour union protests. But Madan Gaonkar has taken money from tanker owners and has threatened the tanker drivers and shown his power," he alleged, adding, "Gaonkar is unfit to be a police officer."
DYFI district president Dayananda, district secretary Santosh Bajal, CITU taluk president Willy Wilson and others participated in the protest.
In the meanwhile, deputy commissioner of the district, A B Ibrahim, said that he would soon call for details about injustices if any faced by gas tanker drivers. He noted that there have been allegations that the rule about presence of two drivers and a cleaner in every tanker is not being followed strictly. He also said that he would discuss with the company if the drivers have faced injustice in payment of salary.