Transporter associations call indefinite bandh along NH-2

Imphal: Three transporter associations–Manipur Drivers Association (MDA), Senapati Truck Drivers Union (STDU) and Senapati Truck Owners Association (STOA) called indefinite bandh along Imphal Dimapur highway decrying against the seized of eight trucks on Wednesday loaded with Dimapur sand by district forest officer (DFO), Motbung Forest Beat office under Kangpokpi Forest Division.

General secretary of MDA Ksh, Sanjoy told reporters on Thursday in front of Motbung Forest Beat office that the three association strongly condemn seizure of eight trucks loaded with Dimapur sand.

He said to release the seized trucks representatives of MDA, STDU and STOA meet DFO, Kangpokpi Forest Division. As the meeting failed to bring a positive solution, the three association resolved to call the indefinite national highway-2 bandh with effect from Friday midnight.

Sanjoy said those trucks were seized as they failed to produce transport permit (TP). The transport drivers had been demanding to issue TP from Mao gate but till date no TP was issued to the transport drivers.

He said during the meeting they told the DFO that whether the drivers are ready to pay the fine of Rs 15,000 for transporting Dimapur sand without TP, the sands loaded in the trucks should be released.

But the DFO denied to release the sand loaded inside the seized trucks, he added.

During the indefinite national highway bandh, passenger service vehicles including Winger service and others can resume their service after 48 hours. Any goods truck service or passenger service should bear the consequences if they fail to comply to the blockade, he added.

The indefinite national highway bandh will be continued till the demands of three transporters association are fulfilled, he cautioned.

In a notice issued by Division Forest Officer, Kangpokpi Forest Division, N. Ganesh it was mentioned that lots of trucks carrying Dimapur Sand in Manipur is transiting without requisite transit pass, bypassing the Forest beat offices along the Imphal Dimapur Highway.

This results lot of revenue loss to the state exchequer to the tune of Rs 3 lakh per day.

It is directed to pay requisite royalty and transit fee to avoid any legal actions on the jurisdiction of Kangpokpi Forest division, it said.

It  warned that any vehicle found entering the jurisdiction of Kangpokpi Forest Division without valid document will be seized and compounded as per the extant provisions of Indian Forest Act, 2018 (Amendment) and Manipur Forest Rule 2021.