Imphal, April 06: Presence of numerous underground organisations is beginning to take its toll on the general public as huge monetary demands slapped by the banned outfits have compelled transport operators to announce cessation of passenger service along the Tiddim Road from April 8 for an indefinite period.

Similar situation has also led to the Moreh Imphal Jeep and Tata Sumo Taxi Service Welfare Association to stop service to the important border town from yesterday with Maruti Van operators plying on the same route joining the strike today.

Decision to cease service along the normal busy Tiddim Road is informed to have been adopted at an emergency meeting of Tiddim Road Motor Owners' Co-operative Society Ltd at its Nipa Keithel office today morning.

Representatives of other transport bodies affiliated to the Society and whose vehicles operate on the route were also present at the meeting, said a Society member.

Informing that over 70 passenger carriers (bus) are affiliated to the Society and these vehicles have been paying annual tax to numerous armed groups, the member disclosed that a particular outfit had been insisting that Rs 3000 each be coughed up failing which vehicles would be torched.

with the ultimatum staring upon the hapless owners the only option left for the operators is to cease service till the matter is settled amicably for safety reasons as insurance validity of most vehicles is also said to have lapsed and the owners unwilling to take the risk of their vehicles being destroyed, the member expressed.

He further said that the meeting decided to appeal to vehicles operating in the areas of Nambol, Churachandpur and Mayai Lambi to cease service in solidarity with the plight of the Society.

meanwhile, the JAC Imphal-Moreh Road Transporters, Kanglapat has informed of an urgent meeting held at the JAC office today wherein representatives of bus, truck, Tata Sumo and maruti Van associations operating on the route to cease service with immediate effect for an indefinite period.

Observing that the multiplication of armed outfits due to factionalism and unbearable monetary demands had been having negative impact upon the transporters, a release of the JAC affirmed that till the UG groups persist with the demand all the vehicles operating under the JAC would suspend service.

While cautioning the vehicles against violating the JAC's decision failing which responsibilities for any untoward incident would have to be borne by the individual owners, the body also appealed to the armed outfits to review/relax their respective tough stance.

It also expressed sincere regret for causing inconveniences to the commuters.

On the otherhand, cessation of service to and from Moreh is informed to have severely effected commercial activities at the normally busy border town besides paralysing Namphalong market located across the border in particular.

While informing that Moreh police is yet to receive a formal complaint on the UGs' demand, a source conveyed that commoners as well as small time traders had to hire private vehicles at hefty amount to reach Imphal.

Due to imposition of monetary demand by about 20 different armed groups Moreh and namphalong stand to lose in terms of crores of rupees as transaction in the border town and beyond hovers around the Rs 5 crore mark on a daily basis during normal times.

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