Transporters threaten ceasework stir

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 26: The All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Works Union has conveyed that all goods trucks and vehicles will stop operation if the authorities want only CRPF escorted oil tankers and LPG bullet trucks to travel along Imphal-Jiribam highway.
Speaking to media persons at the union's office at MG Avenue today, its general secretary Maimom Anil said that  the union strongly condemns the alleged high handed attitude of the CRPF escorts who are providing protection to the oil tankers and LPG bullet trucks travelling along the said road.
Stating that the oil tankers and LPG trucks travel along the road as if they are VVIP vehicles, he said that due to this process and attitude, all other goods carrying trucks are being left to the sideline and more than 400 trucks carrying perishable items and vegetables and essential commo- dities for the people of the State in light of the Ningol Chakkouba festival, have been stranded along the highway for more than 4-5 days now.
He alleged that the CRPF escorts are not doing their task in accordance to the orders given to them and appealed to the State DGP to look into the matter and instruct the CRPF to stop its high handed attitude shown along the National Highway.
He further appealed to the State Government to ensure that the oil tankers are allowed to go along the road on alternate days so that the goods carrying trucks can travel freely on the other days.
Asking if some arrangements can be made to ensure that the goods laden trucks are allowed to cross the Barak bridge and park freely even if the oil tankers are on their journey, Anil said that if the CRPF wants to act according to their own whims and fancies, then all the goods carrying trucks and vehicles will stop operation.
Speaking to media persons, the union's president S Yanglem said that the escorted convoy travelling along the road has led to serious inconveniences for truck drivers who are transporting goods and essential items along the National Highway and opined that it will be beneficial for all if instead of such special escort journeys, Road Protection Forces are deployed to watch over the vehicles.
If trucks carrying different essential commodities are left stranded, prices are automatically bound to rise a lot, he cautioned.
On the other hand, the All Manipur Drivers' Welfare Association (AMDWA) has also appealed to the Government to look into the plight of the truck drivers who are being stranded along the Imphal-Jiribam highway at the earliest.
Speaking to media persons at AMDWA office at Kwakeithel today, its general secretary Sanjoy Kshetrimayum said that movement of CRPF escorted oil tankers and LPG trucks along the highway has created great inconveniences to other goods-carrying vehicles and they are being stranded near Barak Bridge.