TDC says big no to NH-2
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 19 2017:
The Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC) has decried the State Government for pressuring the transporters to undertake the precarious journey along National Highway 2, Imphal-Dimapur road with the promise to provide ample security escorts for their safety.
Speaking to media persons at the Council's office at MG Avenue today, H Ranjit (president of TDC) said, "Driving along the Imphal-Dimapur road would be suicidal as the economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council is still in full force and situations at the hill areas like Mao and Senapati are quite tense.
Human lives cannot be bought with money" .
He said that none of the transporters would agree to take the risk even if the Government offered Rs 10 to 20 lakh in case of injuries or promised Government jobs adding that the Government should not try to pressure the transporters against their will.
Ranjit pointed out that numerous drivers have sacrificed their lives along the National Highway in their service for the people.
The transporters would stop all their service along the said road if the State Government try to pressure them, he added.
He said that even in the face of the economic blockade, the availability of edible items like rice, potatoes and onions have quite normalised despite their higher than normal prices.
"Even fuel scarcity may be resolved if the IOC and its agents strictly scrutinise the distribution", he said.
The scarcity of essential commodities would be minimised if the State Government provides around three to four teams of security escorts in order to enable a safer journey for the vehicles.
He pointed out that the Council still stands by its decision to cease operation along National Highway-2 .
All Manipur Road Transports Drivers and Motor Workers Union vice president H Kulamani said, "Most of the vehicles have stopped operating on the Imphal Dimapur road due to safety hazard.
If the State Government tries to force the transporters to drive along the highway despite the tense situation, it is akin to forcing them to march to their death" .
Extending support to the TDC's stand, he said that the transporters have been driving along the treacherous Imphal-Jiribam road taking into consideration the welfare of the people.
The drivers and transporters would undertake a no steering protest if the Government tries to force them to drive along the Imphal-Dimapur road, he added.