KKL demands concession on air fare
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 17 2024:
Drawing the attention of state and central governments, the civil aviation ministry in particular, Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL) urged for 50 per cent concession on air fare (aeroplane/helicopter) to passengers from Manipur in view of the present unrest situation prevailing in the state.
In a release, KKL secretary Luwangcha U Ngamkhein-gakpa pointed out that lives of the people settling in the valley areas particularly the Meeteis have been drastically affected by theethnic conflict that broke out on May 3 last year.
Even as the state has been perennially depending on food supplies from out side, the conflict situation has severely curtailed surface travel for the Meeteis who are restricted settlement only in the plains, due to armed elements belonging to one of the parties in the conflict laying siege on the highways thereby leaving flight service as the lone option.
While pointing out that as air fares are generally high and bearing the cost has been compounding financial burden on the Meeteis, he regretted that public, experts, organisations and candidates in fray for the ensuing Lok Sabha election seem unconcerned over the issue.
As such, the secretary proposed that authority concerned provide 50 per cent concession on air fare for transportation from Manipur to outside the state until peace is restored.
If the government could not honour the proposal then it should ensure permanent and effective security arrangement along both the two National Highways passing through the state before conduct of the Lok Sabha election so that people can travel without any fear, Ngamkheingakpa added.