Imphal, August 21 2010: The United Committee Manipur (UCM) has strongly condemned the inaction and silence of the Government even as there as have been reports of scuffles and quarrels between passengers and transporters over the increased travel fare.

Noting that hardship of the public caused by prolonged economic blockades was multiplied by the sudden hike in travel fares, the UCM has asserted that the Government should be held responsible for any untoward incidents amongst the people if the Government continues to remain silent spectator.

Speaking to media persons at their Lamphelpat office this afternoon,United Committee Manipur (UCM) information secretary Kh Nilamani Kha-Nganba said that the UCM held meetings with representatives of transport societies and associations three times on July 17, August 2 and August 13 where it was agreed that travel fares would revert to the rates charged before May 2010 from August 18 until the Transport Department issues an order in this regard.

Taking strong exception to the approach and activities of some transport associations which defied the understanding reached on three occasions, the UCM asserted that those errant transporters are enemies of the mass.

The UCM took serious note of some transporters bringing passengers to Imphal and then suddenly suspending transport without any notice this morning.

For any untoward incident resulting from today's incident and for not keeping the agreement reached with the UCM, the transporters' societies and associations should be held responsible.

The UCM would not make any compromise in this regard, said Nilamani.

Both the Transport Department and Home Department have been maintaining complete silence when the transport associations and societies have been charging travel fares at their own fancy.

Nilamani went on to question the failure of the State Government to control and regulate traffic at Imphal city despite the presence of a high power committee comprising of the Transport Commissioner, Transport Director, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Engineer and SPs.

Fuming at the failure of the Government to revise travel fares according to market price index from time to time, Nilamani accused transport societies and associations of deliberately acting unaware of the need to get travel fares revised by the authority.

It would not be right for the transporters to charge unreasonable travel fares on the public, he cautioned.

Th All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has also condemned the abrupt suspension of transport service by some transport societies today.

It also appealed to the Government to fix travel fares at reasonable rates.