Imphal, March 23 2009: The national highways (NH), especially the NH-39, though known as the "Lifeline" of the State for the very fact that it connects the State of Manipur with the outside States for the obvious reasons, have of lately become a matter of serious concern.

The bad (road) condition of the NHs, security problems (loots, extortions and abductions), economic blockades have time and again haunted the people of the state, the buses and their owners and all those various agencies involved in the transportation of essential commodities.

And to add to this, the recent reports of the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) allegedly collecting toll taxes along the highway has allegedly only increased the woes of the transport agencies.

The matter of security concern of the NH being raised time and again is perhaps, nothing new in the state.

A review of the past and the various incidents along the highways especially those of reported loots, extortions and even abductions speak for itself.

The people had raised voice and the government of Manipur had assured of a better security.

However, the sad plight of the NHs, especially NH-39 continues with various crimes related incidents being reported from time to time.

The burning of an Imphal bound tourist bus by suspected militant outfits on October 23 last wherein two Zeliangrongs were charred to death is perhaps still fresh in the minds of the common.

Besides, the various loots, kidnapping of drivers by militant suspects for non-payment of 'taxes' have been the woes of the travellers, drivers and agencies along the NHs.

Chief Minister of Manipur, O.Ibobi Singh, as per reports, had assured of strengthening the security forces along the highway for safer journey.

However, if reports are to be true, woes continue to haunt those along the highways.

And notwithstanding these woes, the people of the state have to again suffer the sad but inevitable condition of economic blockade on "their lifeline" called by various organisations.

Perhaps, the famous about two-month economic blockade called on the NH-39 is still fresh in the minds of the people, and haunting.

As per reports, all the prices of essential commodities in the state shot up a double, some triple thus affecting the common in every way possible of their "lives".

The recent-most notable blockades have been the one called by the Naga People's Organisation (NPO) demanding the transfer of Nidhi Kesharwani, the deputy commissioner (DC) of Senapati alleging the DC had misappropriated development funds of the district.

The blockade was called from December 18 last to sometime in January, 2009 thus affecting the lives of the people of the state.

Besides, the joint action committee (JAC) against the killing of Maharabam Rajen Singh of Awang Sekmai had also called for economic blockade which affected normal lives in the state especially in the increasing price of the essential commodities.

And amidst all these is the bad condition of the highways.

Voices have been raised time and again against the bad condition of the highway and that it be repaired at the earliest possible.

However, as per reports, the cries of the people seem to have only fallen on the deaf ears of the concerned.

In this regard, it is pertaining to remind here that the Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) had called for an economic blockade along the NH-39 against the alleged failure of the State Government in repairing the highways.

Moreover, four transporters associations viz.

the All Manipur Inter State Bus Association North AOC, Manipur Driver Welfare Association, MG Avenue, Imphal Silchar Road Transporters Welfare Society, Wahengbam Leikai and All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers' Union, Sangakpham in Imphal on Monday, March 16, have submitted a memorandum to the chief minister of Manipur for proper maintenance of the highway.

According to reports, the four associations also mentioned of the various atrocities being carried out on the highway including abductions, murders, rapes, extortions and the likes.

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