FA cannot be resolved until IM stops extortion: AITUC
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 28 2021: All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has stated that the Framework Agreement (FA) signed between the government of India and the NSCN-IM cannot be resolved until and unless the latter stops all its extortion activities along Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Jiribam roads.

In a statement released by its secretary, AITUC said that despite the state and central home departments having knowledge of the extortion activities being carried out along NH-37 and NH-39 by NSCN-IM cadres, not to mention of the reports compiled by intelligence agencies, the authorities concerned continue to turn a blind eye to these unlawful activities till date.

The Union had been urging the government to deploy Highway Protection Force along the national highways for a long time but no action has been taken up on the matter till date, which has only emboldened the IM cadres to take advantage of the security loopholes.

"Often times, drivers and handymen are abducted for ransom related reasons and as such, many of the truckers, who are working tirelessly to bring in essential items to the state particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, are left restless and are in fear for their lives", it remarked.

On the other hand, the BJP government is putting immense burden upon the people by hiking the prices of petroleum products and other items, most of which had already skyrocketed due to illegal taxation by IM cadres and other proscribed groups, along with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thus, AITUC demanded the CM to prevail upon the central government for deploying a Highway Protection Force along the national highways.

It further demanded that the Framework Agreement should not be resolved without resolving or putting an end to the extortion and other illegal activities being carried out by NSCN-IM along the highways.

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