Senapati bodies decry harassment of truckers
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, January 29 2025: The keys of two trucks belonging to Senapati district were forcibly taken on January 28 as an alleged tax collection measure but were returned the following day after police intervention.

The incident occurred while the trucks were unloading sand at Porompat, Imphal East, which had been transported from Dimapur.

According to the Senapati District Truck Owners' Association and the Senapati District Truck Drivers' Union, two unidentified individuals approached the truck drivers and inquired whether they had paid their taxes.

When the drivers stated that they had transported the sand with permission from the Naga People's Organization (NPO), the individuals confiscated their keys.

It may be mentioned that the NPO and the Government of Manipur signed an MoU to ensure that essential goods carriers (trucks) owned by the Naga community would not be disrupted.

However, as a result of this incident, the truck drivers were stranded in Imphal overnight without their vehicle keys.

The two unidentified individuals, who claimed to be PLA/RPF members, asked the drivers to contact them via WhatsApp.

Following efforts by the Senapati District Truck Owners' Association and the Senapati District Truck Drivers' Union - along with interventions from the superintendents of police of Senapati and Imphal East - the keys were successfully retrieved, allowing the trucks to return to Senapati.

In connection with the incident, an FIR has been filed at the Porompat police station.

Expressing strong resentment over the harassment of truck drivers, the truck owners and drivers' bodies have warned that if such incidents continue unchecked, they may be compelled to resort to agitation.

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