Extortions on NH-37 rampant
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 27 2023:
Suspected heavily armed Kuki militants have taken control of some portions of National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road) and started extorting Rs 5,000 each from the drivers transporting essentials along the route at gunpoint, said All Manipur Road Transport Drivers & Motor Workers' Union.
Speaking to the media, general secretary of the Drivers' Union Maimom Anil claimed that the militants who wield sophisticated weapons have been extorting money from the drivers right in front of the security forces on escort.
Saying that drivers may start quit steering agitation if the Government doesn't deploy adequate security forces along the highway stretch and ensure their safety, Anil said that the claim of the Government on the security measure being taken up along the highway stretch cannot be seen on the ground.
He said that the well armed persons highly suspected to be Kuki militants extorted Rs 5,000 each from over 50 drivers at Old Kaiphundai while returning from Jiribam towards Imphal with goods today in the morning (between 7.30 am and 8 am) at gunpoint right in front of the security escort.
The drivers didn't see any Road Opening Party (ROP) along the stretch, he claimed.
Though the Government claimed that adequate security forces at sensitive areas along National Highways have been deployed, the same couldn't be seen on the ground, he claimed and added that the Security Advisor and Tengnoupal SP have failed to ensure movement of goods carrying vehicles nor can they control the armed miscreants.
Today is not the first time that drivers were looted or threatened by the armed miscreants at Old Kaiphundai areas, he said and asked why there is no ROP at such highly sensitive areas.
He then cautioned that the drivers will start quit steering agitation if the Government couldn't guarantee their safety.