Sand transporters decry extortion by Kuki militants
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 30 2023:
The Manipur Sand Distributors' Association (MSDA) announced that transporters responsible for ferrying construction sand from Dimapur and Assam will halt their services starting August 1, citing illegal extortion by armed Kuki groups along NH 2 .
Speaking at a press conference held at Manipur Press Club on Sunday, MSDA general secretary Gurumayum Shitaljit Sharma declared that the decision to suspend services Will remain in effect until National Highway 2 is cleared of all armed extortionists.
The association has taken this step due to the increasing incidents of extortion by armed Kuki militants along the highway.
Shitaljit further revealed that the Kuki militants have been demanding money ranging from Rs 10,000 to 15,000 per truck load of sand, with the amount double for cement trucks.
Such rampant extortion activities have made it impossible for the transporters to continue operations under such circumstances.
He requested cooperation from companies and the general public, warning that any member or private vehicle caught transporting construction sand will face confiscation, and stern actions taken against them.
The recent incident involving Kuki militants blocking NH 2 in Kangpokpi district for approximately two months since the violence erupted on May 3 has severely affected the local market in the state.
Though the blockade was lifted to allow the movement of commercial vehicles, it appears that the real motive was to collect illegal taxes from each vehicle.
Previous attempts to lift the blockade by two Kuki militant groups were met with resistance from the Kuki community, leading to the torching of a house belonging to a leader of one of the militant groups.
Apart from adversely affecting the transportation of construction sand and cement, the extortion activities have also triggered a 15 per cent increase in prices of essential commodities since the highway blockade was lifted by the Kuki militants.
Construction sand from Dimapur and Assam plays a crucial role in building private houses, offices, and government infrastructure in the state.
These sand, accounting for approximately 50 per cent of the market share in Manipur, are primarily sourced from outside the state, while the other half comes from sand reserves within the state, predominantly located in the foothill regions.
With the ongoing violence persisting for nearly three months, the construction sector has been hit hard, becoming one of the worst-affected industries in the state.