Centre urged to set up Highway Protection Force
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18 2024: As announced earlier, the State unit of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah listing three demands to enhance security along the National Highway stretches.

According to a statement issued by its general secretary L Sotinkumar, the Trade Union demanded establishment of Highway Protection Force (HPF) to safeguard National Highway-2 and National Highway-37, protection of transporters, drivers and helpers of vehicles plying along the two National Highways and facilitation of free passage of vehicles carrying passengers and essential commodities.

Neither the Centre nor the State Government have taken up any concrete measures to control highway crimes being perpetrated by miscreants especially Kuki and Naga militants for decades, AITUC said while demanding establishment of HPF and its deployment along the National Highways.

Claiming that the militants have been extorting money from transporters, drivers and the public along the highway stretches in the very presence of security forces, the Trade Union reiterated that establishment of HPF and added that its deployment would go a long way in resolving the chronic disease of National Highways.

It also said that normal deployment of security personnel would not be effective at all to protect the National Highways.

Further stating that the Kuki militants launched an all out war against State forces on January 17 and killed two IRB personnel, the Trade Union asked the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to take into account the ugly developments in Manipur and do the needful.

Asking why the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister remain unconcerned of the present crisis in Manipur, AITUC urged the Central leadership to bring about a political solution and restore normalcy in the State.

Accusing the Central Force especially Assam Rifles of being partisan and working in favour of Kuki militants, the Trade Union contended that Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh is very ineffective in controlling the volatile situation.

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