DIMAPUR, MARCH 26 (MExN): The Food Corporation of India has called for sensitizing police personnel and citizens alike on the definition of “essential services.”
The appeal came after incidents of alleged harassment of FCI transporters and labourers, while performing their duties, by police personnel and civilians were reported from various parts of Dimapur on March 25. In the light of the incidents, the FCI’s Divisional Manager, Dimapur wrote to the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur on March 26 to make effort to sensitize the police and local community for ensuring the safety of its vehicles and personnel.
The letter said that its trucks with food grains were halted at various locations in Dimapur by the police and the drivers and labourers assaulted at Kalibari Road and near the Sub-urban Police Station for moving after the 2:00 am closure. It happened despite the trucks displaying FCI signs, it said.
“Further, there have been incidents of stone throwing and physical obstruction by members of local community around the FCI Depot,” it added.
As a result, it said that its transporter and labourers are refusing to work unless their safety is assured.
Highlighting the scope of the FCI’s work, it said that its job includes collecting foodgrains from the rail yard and transporting to its depots in various parts of Nagaland, parts of Manipur and to the Nagaland Food & Civil Supplies Department.
“The movement of FCI & FCS trucks is indispensable to the proper functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS), which has become far more critical in the current situation due to COVID-19 pandemic,” the letter said.
While stating that “all the health instructions” as issued by the authorities are also being fully complied with, it further requested the DC to allow FCI trucks to ply beyond the 8:00am-2:00pm time limit.
