Kohima, October 28 2008: AS THE indefinite suspension of inter state bus services entered fourth day today, passengers in Manipur have started to feel the pinch.

The All Manipur Inter-State Bus Association has called indefinite suspension of the service following the torching of a Guwahati bound passenger bus in Assam on October 23 by KLO/KLA cadres killing two persons.

Meanwhile, the inter state bus association is all set to go ahead with its 12-hour Manipur bandh begining from 6 am on October 29, to protest against the recent incident of torching of bus in Assam.

Coupled with non availability of busses, passengers are also compelled to travel at a high cost in private vehicles on hire basis.

As per the fare rate of the inter state bus, the fare for Imphal to Dimapur is Rs 330 by Tata Sumu jeep, Rs 240 for Kohima, 600 rupees for Guwahati and 650 rupees for Shillong.

However, passengers are paying 600 rupees for Imphal to Dimapur and Kohima for travelling in Tata Sumo jeeps and sometimes due to limited number of taxi services passengers are even paying 800 rupees per head to travel till Kohima and Dimapur in the same hired basis.

Meanwhile, the agitating transport association met the chief minister this afternoon and submitted a memorandum with charter of demands which includes taking up appropriate action against the culprits which is under Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the government, to provide highway security for the transporters, to provide a job to the kins of the victims and to compensate for the charred bus.

However, positive response from the government side is being awaited, added the president of the association.

He also said that the busses will continue with there indefinite suspension of services until there demands are fulfilled.

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