Imphal: Transporters and passenger vehicle operators in Manipur have sought urgent intervention from the state government to curb alleged extortion along the Imphal-Jiribam route, warning that fuel transportation could come to a halt if the issue is not resolved by the end of this month.
Seven transport and dealers’ associations, including the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association and the HPCL Dealers Association, submitted a joint memorandum to the Chief Minister on July 15, highlighting the growing burden of illegal collections along National Highway 37.
According to the associations, transporters are being forced to pay more than Rs 7,000 in illegal levies for every tank truck round trip despite the presence of CRPF security escorts. They claimed that what began as a demand of around Rs 200 has steadily increased to thousands of rupees per trip.
The memorandum stated that drivers travelling from Imphal to Jiribam are allegedly required to pay Rs 500 at Awangkhul. On the return journey, they reportedly face illegal collections of up to Rs 5,000 at Oinamlong, Rs 3,500 at Kambiron, and between Rs 500 and Rs 1,200 at Jiribam Parking, Nungba and Noney.
The transporters said freight charges are fixed by oil marketing companies, leaving them unable to recover the additional expenses. They warned that unless the government dismantles the extortion network or ensures compensation for the losses before July 30, they will suspend the transportation of petroleum products, oil and lubricants (POL) and LPG across the route from July 31.
Meanwhile, passenger vehicle operators have also appealed for enhanced security along the highway. They said the absence of regular security escorts left several passenger vehicles travelling to Tamenglong, Nungba, Noney and Jiribam stranded at New Keithelmanbi.
The operators urged the government to introduce dedicated security escorts for passenger vehicles instead of depending on commercial truck convoys, saying such a system is essential to ensure the uninterrupted movement of public transport and the safety of commuters.