Drivers likely to stop ferrying goods
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 08 2011:
The All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers' Union (AMPTDU) president Bhupendra Gosh today slammed the state government for not providing adequate security escort during the ongoing general strike imposed on the highways by the SHDDC and not giving any care and aid to the injured drivers and transporters due to the general strike related incidents who are lying in hospitals.
Reacting against the irresponsible act of the state government, the union has decided to stop ferrying of goods very soon.
The decision was taken in a joint meeting of the Imphal Silchar Road Transporters' Welfare Society, All Manipur Petroleum Tankers Drivers' Union, Manipur Drivers' Welfare Association and All Manipur Inter-State Bus Association held at the office of the AMPTDU at Tera Lukram Leirak.
Speaking to reporters, Bhupendra Gosh said that Chandra, driver of a diesel tanker, was injured after strike supporters hit him with a stone on his head at Kanglatongbi area.
Another person, Md Rehman, driver of a rice laden truck, is also lying in a serious condition in the ICU of Shija Hospital after strike supporters hit him with stone on his head at Kanglatongbi area near the BRTF post.
The drivers were asked by the state government to ferry goods despite of the ongoing general strike.
However the government is not providing enough security and also not looking after the injured drivers after they got injured in strike related incidents.
Instead the transporters' associations and individuals are paying for the expenses of their treatment.
Bhupendra asked the government not to make the drivers a scapegoat in the impasse between the SHDDC and state government.
He said, unless the government provides them adequate security escort along with recovery van and medical team, the drivers will not be able to ferry goods.