Imphal, August 19: The Joint Action Committee of Jeep-Taxi Services Society, Family Welfare Road, Imphal has today strongly flayed the President's Rule Government in the State for the non-availability of diesel and other petroleum products since August 1, the Government could not provide adequate security personnel for the ROP to bring in the oil tankers for the last many days, it charged.

It wanted to know why the Government authorities have been neglecting the eight day old suspension of passenger service by the Manipur Transport Joint Co-ordinating Committee due to the shortage of diesel in the State for the last 19/20 days.

Reacting to the attitude of the Government towards the transporters and drivers, the committee asked if the people of the State are not considered Indians.

The members of the committee in its meeting today decided to support the ongoing passenger service strike of the Manipur Transport Joint Co-ordinating Committee, a statement said.

Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Manipur today urged the State Government to take necessary remedial measure for the people who have been suffering for the past many days due to the ongoing transport strike.

It has also decided to send a letter to the Union Government in this regard, a statement said.

The people in the rural areas have suffered a lot due to the non-availability of diesel and the transport strike which was launched on August 12 in protest against the abduction of two truck drivers at Dimapur.

In the prevailing situation, all the daily wage earners have been affected.

Government offices have now been thinly attended.

Candidates of the HSLC compartmental examinations which began today have also faced many problems, it stated.

NH protection sought: The North Imphal United Clubs and Meira Paibees Organization demanded adequate protection of the national highways to ensure smooth passage of vehicles carrying passengers and essential items.

In a statement the organization flayed the Centre for turning a blind eye to the national highway problem in Manipur.

It said that two drivers have been kidnapped on NH-39 and several trucks were burnt on it in the past while there are frequent cases of looting of vehicles on NH-53.Truck drivers are facing a lot of hardships due to the neglect by the Government, it said.

While the Government is ignoring the problems on the national highways its security forces have been committing atrocities in the valley, the statement charged.

It said that if the Central and State Governments could not protect the highways, people are ready to take the responsibility.

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