AITUC condemns extortion activities along NH

IMPHAL, Jun 28
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Manipur State Committee strongly condemned the ignorant attitude of the Home Department of Manipur Government  and Indian Intelligence Agencies towards the extortion activities carried out by cadres of NSCN(IM) from truck drivers along the National Highways No 37 and 39 which is the lifeline of Manipur since many years.
AITUC, Manipur State Committee in a press release stated that though the matter of extortion from truck drivers by NSCN (IM) which is on a peace accord with the Government of India is a known fact, the authorities concerned have not taken up any measures to punish the perpetrators till date.
The Committee demanded that unless the extortion activities are stopped by NSCN (IM) along the National Highways, the Framework Agreement between NSCN (IM) and Indian Government should not be completed.
AITUC, Manipur State Committee has been urging the Central and State Government to deploy Highway Protection Forces in NH along Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal Jiribam however no measures have been taken up till date leading to increasing extortion activities by miscreants.
Apart from the extortion activities, there have been many instances of truck drivers and handyman held captive by unlawful organisations, added the statement
The Committee maintained that amid the difficult time of COVID-19 pandemic, the prices of fuel and essential commodities have skyrocketed adding more woes to the suffering of the people of Manipur and the illegal collection of taxes by unlawful organisations along the lifelines of Manipur has made the matter worse.
Therefore, AITUC Manipur State Committee urged the Chief Minister to demand to Central Government for deployment of Highways Protection Forces in NH 37 and 39 at the earliest for the welfare of the State.