AMPTDU celebrates 28th Drivers Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 14 2017: The 28th Drivers Day was celebrated today at Maipakpi community hall in Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai organised by the All Manipur Petroleum Tankers Drivers' Union (AMPTDU) .

CAF & PD, Government of Manipur Commissioner BB Sharma; IOC Limited, Manipur State Level Co-ordinator SI Singh; IOC Limited Manipur Manager (Retail sale) M Gaithaochung; United Committee Manipur (UCM) president E Johnson; CITU secretary Ksh Shanta; NH 53 Truck Owner Association president Kh Inaoba Meetei and AMPTDU president Y Bhupenchandra Ghosh graced the celebration as chief guest, guests of honour and president respectively.

The gathering, led by the presidium members, paid floral tributes to the photos of late drivers and handymen as a mark of respect.

AMPTDU celebrates 28th Drivers Day

Music band Shurti Shangam, led by Dr Hamom Naba Singh, performed devotional song on the occasion.

Speaking at the occasion, All Manipur Petroleum Tankers Drivers' Union president Y Bhupenchandra Ghosh said, on January 14, 1990, a large number of drivers handymen gathered at Koirenggei Air Field to protest against the Keithel Manbi incident, bad road conditions, tortures at the hands of police personnel and the dangers faced by drivers and handymen while driving through Nagaland.

The protest lasted for seven days.

Drivers Day is celebrated every on January 14 since to commemorate the drivers' agitation.

Atrocities on drivers and handymen along the National Highways continue even today.

The ongoing UNC's economic blockade has added to the plight of the drivers, he said adding that the persistent attack on drivers along the highway will push more and more drivers and handymen to stay off the road.

He further demanded deployment of adequate forces on Highways for the protection of drivers and handymen, repairing of highways and a fixed pay scale for drivers and handymen.

UCM president Elangbam Johnson said called for the introduction of welfare schemes for drivers and handymen.

"We must not forget that we are dependent on the services provided by the drivers and handymen", he said.

On the ongoing economic blockade on National Highways, the UCM president said, "The UNC's economic blockade is illegal.

They will never obtain their goal by making the people suffer" .

The recent firing incident along National Highways demonstrates the ineffectiveness of the security measures taken up the central Government along the highways of the State.

The State Government should take up all measures to provide maximum protection to drivers and handymen, Johnson said.

He demanded appropriate compensation for the drivers and handymen who lost their lives in the line of duty and constitution of cell that will look into the welfare of drivers and handymen.

Johnson also appealed to all the concerned organisation/groups to stop harassing drivers and handymen while on duty.

The observation was participated by drivers, handymen, and families of the departed drivers.

Drivers Day was also observed at Sabungkhok Youths and Students Welfare Club ground today organised by Gwaltabi Yaingangpokpi Transport Association.