Imphal-Ukhrul road shut indefinitely
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, March 06 2024: As warned days ago, transport associations, miffed at "illegal tax collection", have shut Imphal-Ukhrul road indefinitely starting today.

With the bandh taking effect, all passenger vehicles remained off the road along the Imphal-Ukhrul stretch.

The bandh is being enforced by a Joint Action Committee, composed of Ukhrul District Taxi Welfare Association (UDTWA), All Tangkhul Drivers Association, Bus Association, DI Association and Truck Association.

Khathing, convenor of the Joint Action Committee, said the indefinite bandh has been imposed as the Government has failed to stop the rampant illegal tax collections by valley based CSOs in the name of donation.

He said the JAC had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on March 3 to stop the "illegal tax collections" before the March 6 bandh came into effect.

Notably, the JAC had accused the valley based CSOs like "All Manipur Pony Conservation Forum and All Manipur Youth Welfare Federation" of collecting "illegal taxes" in the name of donations from passenger vehicles like buses, wingers including goods carrier DI pick-up trucks.

"The relentless extortion has become intolerable as it has impacted the livelihoods of our members besides creating immense inconvenien- ces to the services we provide and to the passengers.

As the Government has not solved the issue, we have been forced to impose the bandh," said the JAC convenor.

According to the convener, volunteers have been deployed in three different locations, Finch Corner, Litan and Mahadev to enforce the bandh.

Private vehicles are allowed to move after obtaining permission from the JAC, he said.

Volunteers will be deployed round the clock, he added.

There has been no report of any unwanted incident due to the bandh today.

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