Uproar before release of abducted driver
Passengers left in the lurch
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 30: Bus service along the Indo-Burma Sugnu road was suspended this morning in protest against the abduction of driver Heikrujam Inao by the UKLF.

A late report informed that the abducted driver has been freed.

Subsequently, the agitation of the drivers has also been called off.

Caught unaware with the abrupt suspension of bus service, hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Keishampat parking here.

Dharna staged to protest the abduction of driver Inao and vehicles being blocked

The Indo-Burma Sugnu Road Drivers and Motor Workers Cooperative society has been demanding the safe release of Inao immediately.

Inao, son of Bijoy of Khongjom Sapam Awang Leikai was abducted by UKLF cadres from Sugnu at about 9.30 am of March 28 in connection with monetary demands.

The bus Amarjit Travels (MNA/869) driven by Inao is still standing at Sugnu.

Chairman of the Indo-Burma Sugnu Road Drivers and Motor Workers Co-operative Society Limited N Dhaka expressed deep regret over the inconvenience and problems caused to the passengers who have been left stranded.

Yet, he maintained that they would not call off their agitation.

He asked the the cadres of the group concerned to seize vehicles instead of abducting drivers, if they must.

As a part of their protest agitation, the drivers parked their vehicles at Kei-shampat and staged a wakat meepham there.

They also prohibited rickshaws and auto-rickshaws picking up passengers from the parking area.

Seeing the plight of the stranded passengers, police asked the drivers to drive their vehicles.

But the drivers refused to budge from their stance saying that they would resume transport service only if the security personnel can give a guarantee to rescue their abducted fellow driver.

Later in the afternoon, the stranded passengers, left with no other option, hired taxis and auto-rickshaws to reach their destinations.

Along the Indo-Burma Sugnu road, bus service operates to Thoubal, Kakching, Sugnu and other important commercial centres.

Taking serious note of the problem, some passengers conveyed dismay and anguish against the inaction of the Government.


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