Imphal, April 25 2010: All Manipur Inter-state Bus Association today appealed to give relaxation to the inter-state buses from keeping within the purview of the indefinite economic blockade on the national highways.

In an interaction with reporters at the office of the association at North AOC Imphal today, president of the All Manipur Inter-state Bus Association, A Bhudha Luwang while appealing the ANSAM to relax the buses from the indefinite blockade observed that the keeping of the inter-state buses within the purview of the blockade has cause inconveniences to the people particularly to those ailing persons in going hospital outside the state as they could not afford air travelling expenses.

The suspension of inter-state bus services have also caused problems to the students going for study outside the state and their return to home.

He also revealed that even though inter-state buses are prevented from plying on the national highways, other passenger services like the taxi services were allowed to operate without any restriction.

Besides this, it would not be a right step to keep restriction only to the inter-state buses while other services like inter-district buses (Imphal to Senapati-Mao-Kangpokpi) are allowed operate freely.

All the while, it is not a right decision to make passenger service operators escape goat when the impasse is with the government.

Buses should be kept outside the purview of the blockade, he demanded.

Budha also blamed the government for remaining as silent spectator despite the people's woe due to the imposition of economic blockade on the national highways by certain organisations, that too on the lifeline of the people of the state.

He further condemned the government for not materializing to the long pending demand of setting up of highway protection force which have been demanding by major section of the society including the All Manipur Inter-state Bus Association.