AITUC fumes over Gadkari's silence on highway protection force
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 15 2021: All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has said that non-mentioning of establishment of highway protection force by Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari during his speech at the inauguration of Makru bridge indeed was discouraging for drivers.

In a statement, AITUC general secretary L Sotinkumar recounted that Gadkari visited the state on July 12 and inaugurated the newly constructed Makru bridge along Imphal-Jiribam road.

However, the union minister did not speak anything about establishment of highway protection force to prevent armed men from collecting extortion from drivers along Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Jiribam road and AITUC Manipur unit considers it as discouraging for drivers who are bringing essential items and other goods through the two highways.

It was very unfortunate that the union minister knew nothing about extortion, looting and torture of drivers and handymen by armed men along the two lifelines of the state, Sotinkumar said, adding that AITUC has long been demanding establishment of highway protection force and several memoranda in this regard had been submitted to both state and Central governments.

While sidelining people's voice, BJP government inaugurated Makru bridge and laid foundation stones for some projects to take advantage for the upcoming general election and AITUC considers it as an eyewash upon the people for the benefit of some leaders.

One main reason behind hike in prices of essential commodities and other items during the pandemic has been collection of huge illegal tax by armed men along national highways of the state and government should know it, Sotinkumar said and demanded establishment of highway protection force to tackle menace of armed men along the two lifelines of the state.

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