Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 28 2010:
Protesting monetary demands served by some UG groups to the Imphal Lamlai Taxi Transport Cooperative Society Limited transporters affiliated to the society halted transport service along Imphal-Lamlai road today.
Suspending their service, the transporters staged a protest demonstration at Lamlai Keithel with an appeal to withdraw the monetary demands which they say cannot not be afforded.
Suspension of transport service caused noticeable inconveniences to the people of Lamlai and surrounding areas.
The protest demonstration was participated by both owners and drivers of Tata Magic vans affiliated to the Imphal Lamlai Taxi Transport Cooperative Society Limited.
They put up festoons and placards which read as "Don't make monetary demands against passenger vehicles purchased with bank loans", "Don't make unaffordable monetary demands", "Don't intimidate drivers" etc.
Speaking to media persons at the protest venue, secretary of the society I Rabichandra said that 25 Tata Magic vans are currently operating along Imphal-Lamlai route under the society.
These passenger carriers were purchased after depositing Rs 50,000 to Rs 1.20 lakh with the Tata Motor Finance.
Their owners have been paying monthly instalment of Rs 8200.All the instalments should be paid within three days.
But these vehicles can earn only Rs 300 to Rs 500 in day.
Under these conditions, the owners are facing great difficulties to pay the monthly instalments, Rabichandra conveyed.
Now the owners and drivers are at their wits' end following monetary demands served to them by 15 armed groups.
Under these circumstances, the owners/drivers are not in a position to fulfil the demands.
Last year too, there were monetary demands from different UG groups but none of the demands were fulfilled as amounts demanded were beyond the capacity of the society and the owners.
This time too, the transporters would not be able to pay the demands and the society has decided not to entertain such demands, the secretary added.