Imphal, August 21: Passenger transporters have decided to intensity the ongoing 11 day old passenger bus services suspension strike against diesel shortage in the State from tomorrow and stop paying vehicle taxes to the Government.

The decision to intensify the agitation was taken during a meeting of State transporters organized by the Manipur Transports Joint Co-ordinating Committee at is office located at Keishampat Thoubal parking today.

Around 60 representatives of 35 different transport societies attended the meeting.

Today�s meeting decided to stop giving money donations to voluntary organizations by transporters temporarily till the vehicles resume normal services.

It also agreed to hold up paying to vehicle taxes to the Government till the passenger services are restored.

Speakers in the meeting expressed surprise that business at the Khwairamband bazar has not been affected even when no bus was plying in the state.

They suggested to the committee members that the buses servicing in the night time should be stopped.

The meeting further expressed strong regret that he State Government has not taken the transporters� woes arising out of shortage of diesel seriously.

More than 112 fuel laden tankers are presently stranded outside the State due to the national highway blockade imposed by Naga organizations against the Centre�s decision to review the NSCN(IM) ceasefire agreement.

Of the stranded tankers, 25 are petrol tankers, 25 kerosene carriers and the remaining are diesel tankers.

A total of 13 goods laden trucks including LPG carriers arrived at Imphal amidst heavy escorts today.

a total of 14 truck left Dimapur for Imphal this morning.

However one of the trucks met with a minor accident and has been retrieved by Senapati police station.

Of the 14 trucks, two are LPG carriers while the rest are goods trucks.

Meanwhile, 20 trucks and 10 oil tankers left the State this morning to procure their loads from outside the State, sources said.

One company of the Manipur Rifles have been pressed into service to transport the stranded vehicles at Kharkhatti and Bokajan, but the drivers have decided to stay off the road until the blockade is lifted or until the State administration provides adequate security cover on the highways.

Drivers who are stranded at Kharkhatti and Bokajan in Assam took a decision today that they would not take the wheels until the blockade is called off or the State administration decides to deploy adequate security on the highways.

The drivers also decided to the Naga organizations to relax the economic blockade for 11/12 hours to ensure the safe passage of the vehicles on the highways.

Three companies of the BSF stationed at Senapati have intimated to conduct Road Opening Patrol, sources said.

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