Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 03 2010:
The Union Home Ministry has been informed about the NSCN-K's demand of Rs 50 lakhs to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) which has resulted in suspension of rice and sugar transportation to Manipur.
In a written representation, the FCS Department has appealed to the Home Ministry to take up necessary actions, stated FCS Minister Y Erabot.
However, according to information received from transport contractors, the monetary demand served by NSCN-K was not to FCI but FCS Department.
The outfit declared prohibition on transportation of PDS items to Manipur following failure to pay 'annual taxes' for these items.
But Erabot maintained that the inability to lift rice and sugar from Dimapur FCI godown since March 31 has been due to NSCN-K's demand of Rs 50 lakhs served to the FCI.
As the rice and sugar which should be transported by FCI transporters belong to the people of Manipur, it is the people of Manipur who would suffer when transportation of these items are prohibited.
Stating that the emerging situation was studied in a meeting today with FCS officials and the Chief Secretary, the FCS Minister said that Union Home Secretary GK Pillai has been informed about the NSCN-K's demand, with an appeal to take up the matter with the ceasefire monitoring cell.
Erabot exuded that New Delhi would take up necessary actions without any delay against the extortion notice served by NSCN-K in total violation of the ceasefire ground rules.
On the other hand, transport contractors said that transportation of rice and sugar to Manipur was suspended following a prohibition imposed by NSCN-K against the failure of the State FCS Department to fulfil the outfit's demand.
According to the transport contractors, relevant districts refused to pay 'annual tax' for rice, sugar and wheat transported to Manipur.
This prompted the outfit to target transporters.
The outfit threatened transporters to bomb and burn vehicles in case any one is violating the prohibition, they disclosed.
Altogether 77 Manipur bound trucks laden with rice and sugar are currently stranded near the new FCI godown located at Dimapur.