Gas stations (petrol pumps) in and around Dimapur Wednesday closed down after one of the petrol pumps was forced to shut down by unidentified miscreants Tuesday late evening.
The lightning closure of petrol pumps gave motorists a hard time as many were seen running from one petrol pump to another. All the 33 fuel filling stations in Dimapur closed down.
According to Dimapur Petroleum Dealers Association (DPDA), three unidentified miscreants – two local and a non-local, harassed the employees and threatened to “blow up the outlet” M/s Siba Enterprise, Essar petrol pump located at Duncan Basti and forcefully shut the retail outlet and took away the keys.
However, as per report received from Addl SP & PRO Dimapur, the keys have been found and handed over to the owner of the retail outlet. PRO in a press statement, made available to the media said police investigating the case suspected the involvement of some underground cadres belonging to NNC/FGN (Non-Accordist).
He said on ascertaining the involvement of their cadres, the investigating team exerted pressure to the senior functionaries of NNC/FGN to hand over the culprits involved and also the keys to the dispensing units.
On being assured that they (NNC/FGN) will investigate into the incident and hand over the erring cadres involved and to restore the keys, Dimapur police received an information that an unknown person had come and left the keys at a shop near District Hospital, Dimapur at around 4.30 pm, Wednesday.
Later, police personnel went to collect the keys and handed over to the proprietor of the retail outlet.
Meanwhile, DPDA president, Hokhuli Sema said that the association was not informed about the keys been found and handed over to the proprietor of the retail outlet.
She said if the keys have been found then it should be handed over to the association in the presence of police, district administration and media persons.
She reiterated that petrol pumps may be opened by Thursday, if the keys be handed over to the association.
Hokhuli said various groups demanding money and extortion from business community was a “usual thing” going on in Dimapur, but by taking away the keys after locking a business establishment was beyond the limit which should be condemned by all.
Ruling out involvement of money matters with regard to the locking up of petrol pump, she said “as far as money matter is concerned we always negotiate”.
Earlier, in the afternoon after a meeting with DC and SP Dimapur, DCCI and DMC, the association said that the petrol pumps would remain closed until the key were handed over to the association.
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