Petrol Pumps Across Guwahati Observe 24-Hour Shutdown, Meghalaya Sees Rush

Petrol pumps across Guwahati remained closed on Thursday after petroleum dealers called a 24-hour shutdown, leaving motorists scrambling for fuel.

With outlets shut across the Kamrup Metropolitan district, many had to travel to neighbouring Meghalaya to refuel their vehicles.Long queues formed at several petrol pumps in Meghalaya near the Assam border, while heavy traffic built up as motorists from Guwahati crossed the state boundary.The shutdown began at 6 am on November 12 and will continue until 6 am on November 13.

The North East India Petroleum Dealers' Association (NEIPDA), Greater Guwahati Unit, has called the protest under its 'no purchase, no sale' campaign against what it alleges are arbitrary decisions and harassment by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).The association has raised a series of complaints against Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum, accusing their officials of pressurising dealers and threatening to disrupt fuel supplies over alleged violations without following proper procedures.The dealers have particularly objected to instances…