Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 20:
Protesting undue monetary demands from various UG outfits as well as the act of vandalism on two Tata Sumos perpetrated by some unidentified persons at Kotlen this afternoon, Tata Sumo taxi service would cease along the Imphal-Jiribam road would cease service from tomorrow.
It is said that atleast around 15 different UG groups have served huge monetary demands on the Tata Sumos plying along this route.
While the discussion is going on to cease the taxi service as the service providers are not in a position to meet the demands of the UG, the incident of pelting stones with the help of slings on the two Tata Sumos by some unidentified persons from atop a nearby cliff of a village, situated about 2 kms toward Imphal from Kotlen at around 3.30 pm today has led to the final decision of the service providers to cease work from tomorrow.
Although none of the passengers or the drivers were hurt , the two vehicles suffered damages in the attack.
Talking to mediapersons in this connection, secretary of Imphal to Jiribam Tata Sumo Taxi Service Association Moirangthem Ishwarchandra informed that some of the UG groups served the monetary demand verbally or some through telephone.
In protest against such undue demands as well as the today's attack on two Tata Sumos, the Association has decided to stop its taxi service from tomorrow, he announced.
While informing that some of the UG groups either collect the money on daily basis or monthly/annually, Ishwarchandra said that the demands of UG groups having factions is more confusing.
The service along the route would not resume until and unless an understanding has been brought about, he stated firmly.