Transporters differ on stir plan

Source:

Imphal, June 25 2013: All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers’ Union will not be a party to the July 2 strike call given by some transport organisations, said Union general secretary H Kulamani.

Speaking to media persons at the Union’s MG Avenue office today, Kulamani said the proposed suspension of service will not be supported and thus Union members may ply as usual.

Stating that the Union is against the idea of ceasing transport service taking into account need for ensuring sufficient stock of fertilizers during the peak cultivation season, he also noted that arrival of rainy seasons is usually accompanied by multiple problems for the people as natural calamities such as landslides are common at this time of the year.

Conveying support to the strike sponsors’ demand for deployment of highway protection force and noting that the issue/demand had been raging for the last many years, kulamani nevertheless noted that transport workers feel relatively safe as presently goods carriers are being provided security by CRPF, IRB and other police forces.

Suggesting that as interim arrangement para-military force personnel be stationed at strategic locations along the highways to enhance security cover to the transport operators, the secretary also desired that adequate security force personnel be deployed in between Nungba, Awang Khun and Lukhambi areas of NH-37 (53) to check illegal tax collection by an armed group, alleged to be insisting on payment of Rs 5000 each as annual road tax.

Union president Sairem Manglem Singh, vice president Potshangbam Deven Singh and Union’s joint secretary cum Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union secretary Naorem Dilip Singh were also present at the media briefing.

via NorthEast Calling - NorthEast India | India's No1 online News Magazine http://necalling.com/transporters-differ-on-stir-plan/