Transporters threaten cease work strike
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 24 2013:
Demanding deployment of security forces along National Highways, establishment of Highway Protection Force and payment of compensation for trucks set ablaze during economic blockades last year, the All Manipur Transporters' and Drivers' Forum has declared to launch a cease work strike from July 2 .
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, Y Bhupenchandra Gosh, advisor of the forum which is a collective body of different transport organisations/unions said that transporters carrying goods and passengers on National Highways have been suffering all kinds of harassments and violent assaults.
Out of 39 trucks set ablaze during economic blockades last year, compensation for 9 trucks have been paid but 10 trucks have been left out.
Such discriminatory attitude of the Government is highly condemnable, Bupenchandra said.
All Manipur Transporters' and Drivers' Forum is a joint forum of the NH-53 Truck Owners' Association, All Manipur Inter-State Bus Association, Manipur Drivers Welfare Association, All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association and Highway Truck Owners' Welfare Organisation.
NH-53 Truck Owners' Association president Kh Inaoba quoted Transport Minister Kh Ratankumar as saying that the amount required for paying compensation for the ten left out trucks have been handed over to Home Department for distribution to truck owners.
Kh Ratankumar was relying to a question put up by MLA K Sarat in the State Assembly last year.
In case the State Governments fails to come up with a concrete response to the forum's demands by July 1, the transporters would launch cease work strike from the next day, Inaoba said.
He also appealed to the UG groups concerned to stop intimidating forum advisor and the All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association president Bupenchandra Gosh.
Bupenchandra Gosh also urged the Government to pay compensation to the family of truck driver Kumud Ali from Assam who was killed at Sapermeina.
It is also being arranged to hold a conference of all the transporters of the North East region at Imphal very soon, he added.