Cops accused of indulging in extortion along NH-37
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 13 2021:
While the road near Barak Bridge and Nung Dolan Bridge along National Highway-37 are in poor conditions, drivers plying along the said route have condemned the extortion activities being carried out by police personnel guarding the area and the workers assigned for repairing of the bridges.
Speaking to The People's Chronicle in this regard on Monday, a driver regretted that although NH-37 is considered to be the lifeline of the state, the condition of the road is quite deplorable.
The road on either side of Barak and Nung Dalan Bridges has huge potholes and are often muddy, making it dangerous to operate.
The driver continued that traffic jams are a frequent sight in the area as the good carrying trucks often get stuck in the potholes.
As such; the drivers have to lay stones in the most dangerous areas while at the same time maneuvering the said road to get to safety.
However, NHIDCL and B1PL, who are in charge of repairing the roads, are yet to take up any initiative for repairing the deplorable road.
"Amidst such a situation, the police personnel stationed in the area and workers assigned for repairing Barak Bridge have been collecting Rs 300 from every goods carrier coming in from Jiribam side.
It is not known whether the 'extortion' activities are being carried out with the permission of the government," the driver observed.
In this regard, All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers' Union secretary Maimom Anil Meitei said that he has been informed of money being collected from the truckers by police personnel and the bridge workers.
Even on Monday, complaints have been received that Rs 300 was collected each from around 20-30 trucks coming in from Jiribam, which crossed Barak Bridge.
The Additional SP of Tamenglong district has been informed of the matter as well, he added.
Recounting recent incidents of the police personnel and bridge workers allowing overloaded trucks tocross over by paying some money, Anil said that previously overloaded trucks were made to unload the excess weight before crossing the bridge and then load the excess after crossing.
However, in the past few months, security personnel and bridge workers have stopped checking the weight or making the trucks to unload the excess weight.
Instead, they are allowing the overloaded trucks to cross the bridge after forcing to pay anywhere between Rs 1400-1500 per vehicle, he alleged.
Urging the truckers not to carry excess cargo so as to prevent any damage to the Barak bridge whichis scheduled to be completely constructed within 2-3 months; the secretary further urged Tamenglong SP and the DGP to look into the conduct of the police personnel who are collecting money and allowing the overloaded trucks to cross the bridge.
Informing that the drivers have decided to stop plying along the said highway if the extortion activities and allowing of overload trucks to cross the bridge continues; Anil demanded the police personnel, BIPL arid NHIDCL workers stationed at the foot of Barak Bridge to stop making money through such illegal means.
Comment
