Imphal, July 24 2010: Strengthening the stand of Transporters and Drivers' Council (TDC), Manipur not to ply vehicles along the Imphal-Dimapur section of National Highway 39, also endorsed by United Committee Manipur (UCM), All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has announced its decision of joining in the campaign.

In a joint press conference convened by TDC, UCM and AMSU at UCM office today, AMSU general secretary Md Alamgir announced that as an apex students' body of Manipur, AMSU would henceforth join in the campaign against plying vehicles on NH-39 .

It is unfortunate that the Government has not taken up any step to redress grievances of transporters despite the fact that drivers have suffered a lot on this route which is the lifeline of lakhs of people in Manipur.

So, the stand of the TDC not to use NH-39 until the Government give some concrete assurance on compensation for the vehicles damaged by anti-social elements and provide fullproof security along this key supply route is reasonable and should be endorsed, Alamgir said.

He also appealed to all the drivers and vehicle owners not to ply along this National Highway.

Secretary general of UCM W Second observed that subsequent to the decision of TDC not to take on NH-39, UCM had not only announced its support to the stand of the transporters but also deployed volunteers to enforce it.

So, the decision of AMSU to join in the ongoing campaign would strengthen the stand of the transporters all the more.

While appealing to the drivers and vehicle owners to support the campaign, W Second warned that if anyone defy this important public issue and ply their vehicles along this National Highway section, then they themselves should be responsible for any eventuality.

TDC general secretary Ng Haridas informed that in accordance to the decision of the Council not to use NH-39, the Council has been extending every possible assistance towards development of National highway 53.After development of the National Highway 53, the Council would have no objection to anyone using either of these two National Highways as they like.

He also informed that DGP has already been approached for deployment of police officers in the rank of DSP as nodal officer one each at Awangkhul and Kaimai so as to solve the problem of communication while plying along National Highway 53 as well as for providing one wireless set in each of these two sites.