AITUC mulls stir for safe NH force
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 23 2024:
Pointing out that the land route connecting the state with the rest of the country has remained cut off for several months, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Manipur State Committee general secretary L Sotinkumar has said that the union will launch intense forms of stir until the government sets up National Highway Protection Force.
Addressing a press meet at Irawat Bhawan, here, on Tuesday, Sotinkumar said that establishment of highway protection force has been a long-standing demand and the union will continue to pursue it.
Since the crisis erupted last year, national highways connecting the state with the rest of the country have been cut off.
More than 5000 drivers are left without any source of livelihood due to the unrest situation.
Even within the state, helicopter is being used to transport security personnel, the secretary noted.
Citing a source in the Prime Minister's Office conveying that resolutions of the state assembly and cabinet are required for setting up the highway protection force, he alleged that the state government has been stalling the process till date.
Sotinkumar also said that solution to the present crisis should come through political angle and in this regard, the chief minister has finally agreed to meet the Prime Minister along with a joint delegation of all political parties.
Even if the Prime Minister refuses to intervene, the 10 political parties in the opposition will continue the movement, he affirmed, adding that the union is planning to launch protest with central trade unions on February 16.Further stating that the present crisis is a crucial moment in the history of the state and the Meetei community is facing the challenges, Sotinkumar lamented that there is no visible sign of the government taking up measures to end the crisis and rehabilitate the displaced people numbering around 60,000 .
No compensation has been released for the displaced people and yet more security forces are being deployed in schools and colleges, which only lead to giving further impact in ensuring education of children in the state, he said.
Amid the public demands for the clarifying who is actually in-charge of Unified Command, the CM himself told a delegation of 10 political parties on January 21 that Kuldiep Singh is in-charge.
He also confided that Article 355 is very much in-effect in the state, Sotinkumar said while demanding an explanation from the government why it did not take up any step to oppose the imposition.