Tanker drivers to cease service
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 12 2023:
Driver's association has launched an indefinite 'cease steering strike' after armed miscreants fired at an oil tanker escorted by CRPF at Noney today at around 11 am.
The oil tanker was coming from Jiribam towards Imphal and the incident took place near the Assam Rifles camp at Noney.
It is reported that the oil tanker was attacked for not stopping when the armed miscreants signalled it to.
The bullet fortunately got stuck in the door next to the seat of the second driver.
Denouncing the attack on drivers who have been supplying essentials to the people by putting their lives on the line, the All Manipur Petroleum Product Drivers' Association (AMPPDA) has rolled out an immediate and indefinite cease-steering strike.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, the driver of the ill-fated oil tanker said that he was signalled to stop by a group of armed miscreants a little ahead of the Assam Rifles camp at Noney.
Saying that one among the armed miscreants fired at his vehicle for refusing to stop, he added that one of the bullets got stuck in the door next to the seat of the second driver.
He said that he didn't stop driving despite the attack.
Meanwhile, secretary of AMPPDA Mukta Nongbri said that the driver could have been killed had the bullet pierced through the door.
Condemning the attack, he said that they have decided to stop transporting supplies as the Centre and Manipur Government cannot guarantee the safety of drivers.
Drivers said that armed miscreants have been taking taxes of Rs 500 each from the drivers at Nungkao, Sibilong and Rengpang along Imphal-Jiribam road for every trip and there is a separate yearly tax too.
With different illegal taxes being levied by armed miscreants along Imphal-Jiribam road, each driver had to spend about Rs 4 thousand every trip, they rued.
AMPPDA president Ahongsangbam Tamphayai, on the other hand, said that the condition of Imphal-Jiribam road is pathetic and not motorable adding that it takes four to five days to cover the 222 long stretch which otherwise can be completed in a single day.
Despite all the hardships and the blockade by Kukis, the drivers transport supplies to make sure there is no shortage of essentials in Manipur, he added.
Saying that the Government needs to provide adequate security personnel to make the drivers feel secure, he said that armed miscreants have been collecting Rs 500 each from drivers at four points of the highway stretch.
Maintaining that many new looters have also come up at Imphal-Jiribam road and they threaten the drivers whenever they like, he said that the drivers now don't have the will to continue their service given all the threats.