Economic blockade begins, 116 trucks escorted, 70 stranded at Mao gate
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 24 2011: Over 70 loaded trucks were stranded at Mao gate while 116 were escorted to Imphal as the five-day economic blockade imposed by the All Tribal Students' Union (ATSUM) entered second day Thursday.

A report received from Mao gate bordering with Nagaland said that a total of 116 loaded trucks, 61 oil tankers, seven bullet (bulk LPG carrier) tankers and 48 truck ferrying FCI goods have been escorted by a combined force of police and IRB from Mao gate.

The vehicles left Mao gate for Imphal around 12.30 pm and are on the way to Imphal.

No untoward incident reported so far, police said adding that more than 70 vehicles that arrived at Mao gate latter were stranded at Mao gate.

Meanwhile, over 100 empty trucks including 64 oil tankers and 20 bullet tankers have crossed Mao gate for their onward journey to collect essential commodities, the report said asserting that police have taken up security measures to escort all vehicles on both NH-39 and 53 so as to ensure undisturbed flow of trucks ferrying essential commodities.

Truckers at Mao gate has expressed strong apprehension of militants coming out to collect money from them while stranding at Mao gate recalling that whenever vehicles are stranded at Mao gate, militants used to come out and extort money.

ATSUM has imposed the five-day economic blockade on the national and state highways in the state beginning from yesterday 6 am pressing the state government to fulfill their demands rectification of the Rules of the Manipur Reservation of Vacancies in Post and Service (for SC and ST) Act, 2007 and its objection to 200 point roster as against the earlier 100 points, extension of the service of contract basis teachers in the hill districts for one academic year, revocation of cabinet decision of posting senior Manipur Civil Service officer as executive director of DRDA, etc.

among others.

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