Imphal: Over 350 goods-laden trucks plying towards Imphal from Silchar in Assam were stranded owing to withdrawals of security personnel escorting the trucks operating along National Highway 37 connecting the two states on Tuesday.
The removal of the security escort that started on April 9 left these vehicles stranded at many places along the NH-37, particularly in the Noney, Khongsang, Irang, and Jiribam areas.
The escorts to tackle extortion activities along the highway by unlawful organizations are being pressed into services to the trucks engaged in the transportation of essential commodities.
The security escorts engaged in guarding the vehicles on NH-37 were withdrawn for utilization in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections slated in the state on April 19 and April 26.
Meanwhile, M Anil Meitei, general secretary of the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers’ Union appealed to the government to initiate effective measures for the safe movement of stranded trucks to Imphal and vice-versa and also to provide security escort for its safe passage.
M Anil cautioned that cessation of service by the truckers might trigger arbitrary price hikes of essential commodities by the traders and inconveniences caused to the public in the state in the coming days.
However, a Manipur police morning report issued on Tuesday states that the movement of 376 vehicles along NH-2 connecting Imphal to Dimapur, Nagaland with essential items has been ensured.
Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and a security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles.