The All India Trade Union Congress, Manipur State Committee on Wednesday condemned the indefinite blockade on NH-39 and drew the authorities’ attention on the illegal taxes imposed by underground outfits on the same highway.
In a release by issued by its general secretary L Sotinkumar Singh, State AITUC stated that the ongoing indefinite blockade by Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) is adding adversities for the public of Manipur on top of the price hike on essential items owing to the many illegal taxes imposed by Nagaland based underground uniforms and the additional ‘Dimapur tax’ paid by the truck drivers.
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On their journey from Dimapur in Nagaland to Keithelmanbi Police Outpost in Manipur, the truck drivers have to pay illegal taxes collected by many underground groups, it added.
Stressing on the adversities caused by the ongoing NH-39 blockade, it further stated that the blockade has left many Manipuris stranded, and disrupted the socio-economy of the state.
Suggesting the truck drivers to opt for the Imphal-Jiribam highway rather than the Imphal-Dimapur highway, until the contentious Dzuko Valley issue is resolved, it stated that the authorities concerned should be working on developing the Imphal-Jiribam Highway.
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Appealing to the state government to authorise extra police forces on the contentious highways and conduct combing operations, it urged the authorities concerned to impose National Highway Protection Force for the prevention of the illegal tax collections and providing safe passage.
