Petrol pumps deny news of not giving fuel to army for rescue operations

KALPETTA: Unconfirmed reports say petrol pumps refused to give fuel for the army who reached for rescue operations in rain fury incidents. As the weather deteriorated, the troops travel on off-roads and in military vehicles. Vehicles with less mileage need more fuel. The troops approached three petrol pumps for fuel at Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad. But petrol pump owners were reluctant to give fuel, saying there was no guarantee to get paid and the revenue department had not given a receipt also.

Army officials requested for fuel twice, but the owners did not change their stand. Reports say the army later seized the petrol pumps and filled fuel. The army seized the pumps using special powers for disaster management force. However, an employee of the pump in Sulthan Bathery said the army had not approached them for fuel. As transportation was disrupted, the stock was over by afternoon. The news circulating in the social media is wrong, he said. Sulthan Bathery police said they have not obtained any complaint against the petrol pumps.