Imphal | January 10 : It appears that the people of Manipur need to brace up for yet another phase of shortage of essential commodities in the State given the palpable discontentment of the drivers who have been engaged in ferrying goods from Dimapur through National Highway 39.
The drivers whose trucks have been requisitioned by the government for the transportation of staple foods like rice, sugar, wheat etc. from Dimapur godown have disparaged the government for being insensitive and have alleged that the government is acting in contravention of its assurance of providing security to the truckers. The drivers have said that they would go on a stir if their grievances are not looked into promptly by the government.
If the government does not execute the full meaning of the requisition contract that it has signed with the truckers, the drivers will have no option but to go on a stir, said Raj, a disgruntled driver. Apparently, according to the requisition agreement, the State government is duty bound to protect the interest of the drivers by providing security cover during the routine transportation of goods from Dimapur in Nagaland.
The transportation of Food Corporation of India (FCI) quota of the State from Dimapur has been going on since a month ago under the requisition agreement, but until today the drivers have had to fend for themselves against extortion and illegal taxes on National Highway 39, said Raj.
“Each truck has to shell out an illegal tax of about Rs 8000 for a round trip through extortion from a particular Naga underground group between Mao Gate and Dimapur”, alleged Raj. All these despite the fact that some 250-300 trucks are always being accompanied by 5-6 CRPF escort vehicles.
Extortion and illegal taxes take place right under the nose of the accompanying CRPF escorts and all they say is “make an entry at each post”, said Raj. “The security escorts, meant to protect and secure the trucks and the transportation of goods, have even beaten up the drivers on trifle technical breakdown of vehicles alleging them of improper maintenance of their vehicles.” The requisition truckers, picked up by motor vehicle department and FCI for the transportation of public distribution system (PDS) items from Dimapur, have been taking shelter at Khuman Lampak from January 9. The drivers have made their appeal to the FCI department to persuade the government to look into the untold plight of the drivers who risk their life to go to Nagaland to ferry essential goods.
Continued on page 5
According the another driver, even Home guards who supposedly provide security at the godowns in Dimapur collect taxes on behalf of extortionist groups through a comprehensive list of the trucks. And only after all the illegal taxes demanded are paid off, CRPF escorts show up. The drivers alleged that in one of the recent trips eight drivers were bashed up at Dimapur for being indisposed to paying tax. If the government is not in a position to honor the requisition agreement, it should bring us home and leave us alone, said Raj. The drivers have been stranded on the other side of the State border in Dimapur due to negligence of the government since December 26, 2010.
He further said that if the government is unable to provide security to the truckers, it should relieve the trucks of the “requisition deal” and have them fend for themselves as before, to the risk of their life, in ferrying goods from outside the State. There seems to be no big difference between having and not having escorts.
Lokendro, a driver, said that if the FCI is approached, the officials wash its hands off by putting blame conveniently on Nagaland. The officials have also alleged that a report of the DGP of Manipur has mentioned that National Highway 39 is not its responsibility and that it can provide full security only on National Highway 53.
Lokendro further charged that the government has not done its part on the requisition deal. The lifting of PDS items is the plan of the government and requisition deal speculates that all the trucks would be provided security. “We do not want to pay illegal taxes on National Highway 39, as we are bringing goods for the people of Manipur.”
Taxes on National Highway 39 have increased during the last 10 days. Illegal tax and threat is very common on this highway, and until that is removed, the truckers will not transport essential goods from Nagaland’s Dimapur, said Ibomcha, another outraged driver.
The drivers whose trucks have been requisitioned by the government for the transportation of staple foods like rice, sugar, wheat etc. from Dimapur godown have disparaged the government for being insensitive and have alleged that the government is acting in contravention of its assurance of providing security to the truckers. The drivers have said that they would go on a stir if their grievances are not looked into promptly by the government.
If the government does not execute the full meaning of the requisition contract that it has signed with the truckers, the drivers will have no option but to go on a stir, said Raj, a disgruntled driver. Apparently, according to the requisition agreement, the State government is duty bound to protect the interest of the drivers by providing security cover during the routine transportation of goods from Dimapur in Nagaland.
The transportation of Food Corporation of India (FCI) quota of the State from Dimapur has been going on since a month ago under the requisition agreement, but until today the drivers have had to fend for themselves against extortion and illegal taxes on National Highway 39, said Raj.
“Each truck has to shell out an illegal tax of about Rs 8000 for a round trip through extortion from a particular Naga underground group between Mao Gate and Dimapur”, alleged Raj. All these despite the fact that some 250-300 trucks are always being accompanied by 5-6 CRPF escort vehicles.
Extortion and illegal taxes take place right under the nose of the accompanying CRPF escorts and all they say is “make an entry at each post”, said Raj. “The security escorts, meant to protect and secure the trucks and the transportation of goods, have even beaten up the drivers on trifle technical breakdown of vehicles alleging them of improper maintenance of their vehicles.” The requisition truckers, picked up by motor vehicle department and FCI for the transportation of public distribution system (PDS) items from Dimapur, have been taking shelter at Khuman Lampak from January 9. The drivers have made their appeal to the FCI department to persuade the government to look into the untold plight of the drivers who risk their life to go to Nagaland to ferry essential goods.
Continued on page 5
According the another driver, even Home guards who supposedly provide security at the godowns in Dimapur collect taxes on behalf of extortionist groups through a comprehensive list of the trucks. And only after all the illegal taxes demanded are paid off, CRPF escorts show up. The drivers alleged that in one of the recent trips eight drivers were bashed up at Dimapur for being indisposed to paying tax. If the government is not in a position to honor the requisition agreement, it should bring us home and leave us alone, said Raj. The drivers have been stranded on the other side of the State border in Dimapur due to negligence of the government since December 26, 2010.
He further said that if the government is unable to provide security to the truckers, it should relieve the trucks of the “requisition deal” and have them fend for themselves as before, to the risk of their life, in ferrying goods from outside the State. There seems to be no big difference between having and not having escorts.
Lokendro, a driver, said that if the FCI is approached, the officials wash its hands off by putting blame conveniently on Nagaland. The officials have also alleged that a report of the DGP of Manipur has mentioned that National Highway 39 is not its responsibility and that it can provide full security only on National Highway 53.
Lokendro further charged that the government has not done its part on the requisition deal. The lifting of PDS items is the plan of the government and requisition deal speculates that all the trucks would be provided security. “We do not want to pay illegal taxes on National Highway 39, as we are bringing goods for the people of Manipur.”
Taxes on National Highway 39 have increased during the last 10 days. Illegal tax and threat is very common on this highway, and until that is removed, the truckers will not transport essential goods from Nagaland’s Dimapur, said Ibomcha, another outraged driver.
