Imphal, Jul 15 (PTI) Petroleum and LPG transporters’ associations in Manipur on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh to immediately take action against “rampant extortion” along NH-37, warning that they will suspend operations from July 31 if the problem is not addressed.
In a memorandum to the chief minister, nine organisations, including the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association, alleged that tanker operators transporting fuels between Imphal and Jiribam have been subjected to illegal collections despite travelling under CRPF escort.
According to the transporters, petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) and LPG tankers have been plying along the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of NH-37 under security escort since the ethnic violence broke out in May 2023.
The associations alleged that nearly 100 tankers in every convoy are forced to pay illegal “taxes” to “looters” along the highway.
“Initially, the amount collected was Rs 200 per truck, but it has now increased to Rs 7,000 per truck,” the memorandum claimed.
The transporters said they have repeatedly raised the issue with the authorities, but no effective action had been taken.
“We have raised this extortion issue many times, but it is still continuing. The transporters are no longer in a position to bear these expenses,” they said.
The associations urged the CM to take necessary steps to eliminate the alleged extortion along the highway before July 30.
They warned that if the issue remained unresolved, transporters would be compelled to suspend the movement of petroleum and LPG tankers from July 31 onwards. PTI CORR SOM
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