Man Of The Moment : Erabot proves NH-53 security lie with only 10 security guards
To lead 350 goods trucks, buses into Imp today
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 21 2010: Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Y Erabot, who left for Jiribam today without any additional escort with the exception of his 10 house guards and four PSOs, is expected to arrive here tomorrow at the head of all the vehicles that have been stranded for long following imposition of total blockade along National Highway 53 .

A media team is also accompanying the Minister.

A senior staff reporter of The Sangai Express, who accompanied the Minister, said that Erabot left his Imphal residence without additional security escort.

A stretch along the National Highway and inset the no-nonsense Minister Y Erabot

He moved out with security personnel provided as house guards and his personal security officer.

However, for reasons best known to itself, the Govt suddenly changed its Guite Road plan and gave the green signal to the stranded trucks to come before the Minister could reach Jiribam.

Erabot came across the returning trucks at Keiphundai.

There, the Minister held a joint meeting with the truck/tanker drivers, nodal officers and their security escort commanders and finally decided that all will proceed towards Imphal together tomorrow.

At present, there are in all 350 trucks/tankers stationing at Keiphundai and the number is likely to increased.

Altogether 350 vehicles including trucks/tankers which are at Keiphundai include 37 LPG bullet tankers, 36 oil tankers and 177 other goods laden trucks.

It is said that the vehicles will face no problems in their movement as well as while crossing the bridges located along this route.

Two trucks each carrying 15 tonne of cement bags coming from Jiribam have reportedly crossed Barak river safely.

On arrival at Jiribam, Minister Erabot held another joint meeting with the ADC, Additional SP and officials of the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

After the meeting, the Minister went to the FCI Jiribam godown to interact with a group of womenfolk who were blocking lifting of PDS items from the godown.

With the assurance of the Minister that National Highway-53 would be developed in consultation with the Minister concerned and the local MLA, the protestors suspended their counter-blockade.

It is said that there are 7000 MT of rice in the Jiribam godown.

Observing that the truck drivers are hesitant on taking the Guite Road, due to its treacherous terrain, the Minister said that all these days the Government had been maintaining that the trucks cannot be brought along NH-53, citing the condition of the road when the truth is that the stranded trucks could have been brought back days earlier.

Y Erabot also expressed disgust over the conduct of the Govt in giving permission to the stranded trucks to start moving all of a sudden after he started for Jiribam.

On the other hand a team led by MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam, comprising IFC Minister N Biren and TD Minister DD Thaisii today left for Noney to hold discussions with the villagers there.

ANSAM supporters have geared up and are on the alert to thwart the movement of the trucks along NH-53, adds our correspondent from Jiribam.