Private water tanker operators in Tamil Nadu called off their indefinite stir on Wednesday evening within hours of its commencement with a representative saying the state government has assured to consider their demands.
The operators have demanded that government issue licences to facilitate hassle-free operations and claimed several drivers and owners of tankers were slapped with cases of theft for alleged illegal withdrawal of groundwater from suburban areas.
"They have issued some licences in three districts - Kancheepuram, Chennai and Tiruvallur," Tamil Nadu Private Water Lorry Owners Association president N Nijalingam told reporters.
The government also assured them that licences in other districts across the State would be issued in three weeks, he said, adding "we are calling off the strike based on assurances given by the government."
According to Nijalingam, drivers of tankers had been arrested and forced to face non-bailable charges and over 20 tankers have been seized by the police.
Wary of attracting criminal cases, he said, drivers were not willing to turn up for work.
Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) said none of the tankers associated with the board was affected by the strike that lasted throughout the day.
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