Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 10:
The indefinite blockade imposed on NH-39 by the Senapati District Students' Union since 6 pm of September 8 in protest against IRB assault has been suspended temporarily from midnight of today.
The decision to ease the blockade was taken after the Additional DGP rushed to Senapati yesterday and held talks with the blockade supporters.
The blockade will be eased from midnight of today till 6 pm of September 24, said sources.
Mention may be made here that the Senapati students decided to impose the blockade after IRB personnel who were escorting oil tankers assaulted 13 students of Mount Everest College on September 7.The incident occurred after the oil tankers were stoned by unidentified persons near the Senapati Forest Gate.
One driver sustained grievous head injuries in the stone pelting incident.
The students are demanding adequate compensation and action against the IRB personnel involved in the incident.
When the Sangai Express contacted the general secretary of the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers' Union, H Kulamani said that buses and trucks would start plying on the highways following the suspension of the blockade.
The Union in a statement also expressed serious reservation against the ineffectiveness of Senapati police in dealing with the excesses committed by blockade supporters.
The police personnel were escorting passenger buses from Mao to Senapati.
The Union has also decided that drivers will not take the wheels in times of any bandh, blockade or strike on the highways.
However oil tankers will continue to stay off the road until an understanding and agreement is worked out with the Government.