Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 29:
All Manipur Inter-Bus Association has suspended its seven-day long agitation of stopping service along the National Highway 39 from Imphal to Guwahati via Dimapur till August 1 following an understanding reached with the Government.
The decision to suspend the stir was taken after a joint meeting between the representatives of the Association and Chief Minister in-charge and FSC Minister Th Debendra.
Both the parties agreed to hold another meeting to discuss the demands of the Association along with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on August 1 and suspend the agitation till then.
Talking to mediapersons after the meeting with the Chief Minister in-charge at Hotel Pintu here today, Association president A Budha, however, made clear that the Association would resume it agitation more vigorously if the Government fails to give a positive response to its demands during the proposed meeting on August 1.He further said that the Association decided to suspend the stir in consideration of the sentiment of the suffering public who have been urging the Association to resume service along the route.
Expressing surprise over lack of knowledge on the part of the Chief Minister about the agitation of the Association despite having submitted memoranda on June 11 and 13, Budha informed that the Chief Minister learnt about it only when the Chief Minister in-charge talked over the phone today.
Enumerating on the demands of the Association, Budha said Association has been launching agitation demanding development of National Highway 53 as an alternative route to National Highway 39, providing adequate security along the National Highways, insurance policy for the bus drivers and handymen, setting up a bus terminus near Guwahati Railway Station, etc.
He also made a fervent appeal to both the underground outfits and voluntary organisations to stop giving undue pressures and asking donation.
The Association initially launched its cease work strike from 23 to 25.But as the Government fails to give any response to its demands, the agitation was extended indefinitely.