Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 24:
The drivers of the trucks who have been stranded at Kharkhati and Bokajan in Assam have today appealed to the Naga Youth Front to relax the ongoing indefinite economic blockade just for 12 hours to allow them enter Manipur.
A meeting of the drivers and owners of the trucks held at noon today decided to make the appeal to the agitating Naga body which has been imposing the indefinite economic blockade along the national highway.
If the blockade is relaxed, the drivers and the handymen will return to the State after unloading the oil tankers which are being parked at the ground of the Khartkhati forest gate and on the national highway from Khatkhati to Bokajan at the places where they have been loaded, the sources said.
The Assam Police asked the loaded oil tanker to leave the places as they could be dangerous.
The police however agreed to accept the parking for two or three days more on the request of members of the Truck Owners� Welfare Association and the Drivers� Association who left Imphal with a team of journalists from the State two days back.
Altogether 150 loaded oil tankers including 25 petrol, 80 diesel and kerosene are stuck at Khatkhati.
There are over 300 trucks at the area.
The team from Imphal distributed 5 Kgs of rich each to the stranded truckers whose provisions and money have already been exhausted.
Some of the truckers have fallen ill with diseases like diarrhea, etc.
About the State Government�s instruction to go with the army convoy along the national highway, the truckers charged that the trucks are not properly escorted.
The drivers also charged that they are not treated properly.
Meanwhile, a team of India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Manipur Rifles personnel have arrived at Khatkhati with 15 empty oil tankers today.
Some drivers are among the team comprised of 104 personnel.
The IRB and MR personnel might have come to take the stranded oil tankers.
Even if the truckers do not agree to go with them.
Those drivers who came with personnel are likely to carry the loaded oil tankers with them, the report said.