Trucks stranded as Govt withdraws security
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 10 2024:
The sudden withdrawal of security personnel escorting trucks operating along the National Highway-37 has left many trucks stranded on the Imphal-Jiribam highway stretch.
As per sources, security personnel assigned to escort the goods carriers on NH-37 were removed since April 9 compelling the trucks to halt service.
In view of the ongoing violence which broke out in the state on May 3, 2023 and to tackle extortion activities along the highway by unlawful organisations, trucks engaged in transportation of essential commodities were provided security escort but the government issued an order on April 9 for withdrawal of the same for utilisation in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
The abrupt removal of security escort has left trucks stranded at many places along the NH-37 particularly in Noney, Khongsang, Irang and Jiribam areas, said the sources, while cautioning that subsequent cessation of service by the truckers might trigger arbitrary price hike of essential commodities by the traders and inconveniences caused to the public amidst the prevailing unsettling situation in the state.
Meanwhile, All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers' Union general secretary M Anil Meitei said that sudden removal of security escort will create problem in bringing in essential items into the state.
He also appealed to the government to initiate effective measures for safe movement of stranded trucks from Noney, Khongsang, Irang and Jiribam to Imphal and stressed the need for the government to provide security escort to trucks operating along national highways so that people do not face problems in procurement of essential commodities.