Tinsukia: The Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union (APMU) has called an indefinite strike again, boycotting loading and unloading of petrol, diesel and kerosene, from Digboi terminal of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), a day after a scuffle took place between the Golai Association and drivers and handymen of oil tankers.

The sudden strike has created a crisis at various petrol pumps in Upper Assam, particularly in Tinsukia district.

This prompted police to deploy security at Prakash Bazar petrol pump here, the only station dispensing petrol and diesel in Tinsukia.

"I visited several petrol pumps but there was no petrol. Luckily, it is available at Prakash Bazar petrol pump," Arun Singh, a consumer, said. Hundreds of two-wheelers and four-wheelers and people queued up outside the petrol pump. The person in charge of Prakash Bazar petrol pump, Harsh Karwa said, "Seeing the heavy rush of consumers, we informed the local police, who have deputed force to control the situation. In the entire town, only our petrol pump has stock, which is likely to run dry soon."

"We have run out of stock at our petrol pump," said Mahesh Goenka, owner of Assam Agencies.

President of the Upper Assam branch of APMU Ranjan Chowdhury said, "The loading and unloading of petrol, diesel and kerosene has been stopped indefinitely following an assault on our drivers and handymen by the Golai association member inside the IOC premises at Digboi terminal on Wednesday."

"We had withdrawn the strike following assurances by the state government. Accordingly, our tankers reported to the Digboi terminal to load petrol, diesel and kerosene and several of them left for their destination. Suddenly, our men came under attack and we have decided to go on an indefinite strike," Chowdhury added.

He said, "We shall not withdraw the strike till our demands are met. Our demands include a written assurance from the district administration to eradicate outsiders in the name of the Golai association from National Highway 38 to Digboi terminal and deployment of sufficient number of Central Reserve Police Force personnel. We have already requested the general manager, IOC, (Assam Oil Division) to save the CCTV footage of the August 29 episode at the Digboi terminal."

Late tonight, Chowdhury said, "The strike has been withdrawn after heavy security arrangements were made from Digboi terminal to National Highway 38."

The Digboi terminal of the IOC sees loading of almost 200 oil tankers and maintains supply to various petrol pumps in Upper Assam. Since Monday, only 42 oil tankers were loaded and sent to petrol pumps.

The general manager (operations), B.K. Sharma, IOC, did not respond to queries .