Manipur drivers protest against frequent abductions by militants

The inter-state passenger services from Imphal came to a halt recently after members of All Manipur Night super drivers' welfare association went on strike to protest against the abduction of a bus driver.

They also staged a sit-in protest to demand the safe release of Thokchom Ingobi, a bus driver abducted on June 13 from a hotel at Jakhalabandha in Assam, while he was ferrying passengers from Guwahati to Imphal.

Cadres of the KCP-MC (Lamyanba Khuman) group are suspected to be behind the abduction.

Romesh Singh, Assistant of the abducted driver, said, "Whichever group has abducted him, we request them to release him safely. He has a wife and children at home. We request them to listen to the appeal of the Driver's association and release him. We won't stop this protest until they release him."

The outfit allegedly collects an annual tax of Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 from the bus owners. It is believed that Ingobi was abducted due to the non-payment of the annual tax this year by the owners of the vehicle.

The outfit has also warned the other travel agencies of similar action if they fail to pay the annual tax.

The protestors expressed concern over the rising incidents of abduction for ransom by various militant groups and asked the authorities to take appropriate action.

"The drivers who operate on Imphal, Guwahati and Shillong road often face a lot of problems. We suffer a lot due to such activities. We have requested the government for their help to take step for our protection," said L Irabot Singh, Secretary, All Manipur Night Super Driver Welfare Association.

Manipur transport drivers who carry goods and passengers along the National Highways 38 and 56 frequently fall victim to militant outfits. It affects the passenger services and transport of goods resulting in inflation.