Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, October 03:
AT LEAST twenty members of the All Manipur Bus Owners Association (AMBOA) were arrested by the state police following the indefinitely chakka bandh called by the
association in relation to the hike of the bus fares and hiring charge by 30 percent.
The bandh also saw window glasses of over twenty commercial vehicles being destroyed
by the association for defying the indefinite bandh.
Speaking to the media, A Priyokumar secretary of AMBOA informed that the association has been demanding the increase
in bus fare, freight and hiring charges of motor vehicles plying in Manipur by 30 percent since 2005 .
However, nothing had been done by the concerned department and authority added the secretary and also demanded that the order of the same be release by the Transport Secretary (STA) from time to time.
The secretary also informed that after a long wait Manipur Transport minister L Jaycntakumar on September 19 called upon the members of the AMBOA with assurance of a positive measure by September 30 .
However, with the assurance by-the minister turning to be negative the association has 'called for an indefinite chakka bandh for all commercial vehicles starting Friday' added the secretary of the association.
Narrating to woes of the owners and the drivers, the secretary stated that due to the law and order situation of the state and
the hiring by 'uninvited guests' there were hardly twenty earning days in a month.
'Despite our cries and pleads the government has not paid heed to our woes' added the secretary.
In this faiiure of the government and the concerned authorities to pay heed to the plight of the association, the indefinite bandh will continue stated
Priyokumar secretary of the association.
The secretary also appealed to the entire commercial workers, and transporters to cooperate with the AMBOA and stop carrying passengers as part of the protest.
Transportation is one of the biggest sources of economy in the state and the association hopes that the government will come up with a positive solution at the earliest, said the secretary while adding that the day had passed off without any positive result from the concerned authorities.
The secretary however warned of a strong form of agitation should the government failed to come up with any positive solutions from tomorrow i.e.Sarurday.
"Because, instead of
replying to the demands of the association the government has arrested some of our members and is even hunting to arrest us," said the secretary angrily and question
what type of government is it that does no good for its people.
Meanwhile, the definite chakka bandh affected normal lives especially those coming to Imphal to sell vegetables and those officials and students who take the public conveyance to their destinations.