Imphal: Passenger vehicles commuting along the Imphal-Ukhrul road in Manipur was disrupted as an indefinite bandh commenced on Wednesday, in protest against the prevalent illegal extortion by various organisations operating along the route.
The bandh was enforced by a Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising the Ukhrul District Taxi Welfare Association (UDTWA), All Tangkhul Drivers Association, Bus Association, DI Association, and Truck Association.
JAC convenor, Khathing, informed that the indefinite bandh was initiated due to the state government’s failure to curb rampant illegal tax collections by valley-based Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the guise of donations.
The JAC alleged that valley-based CSOs, such as the All Manipur Pony Conservation Forum and All Manipur Youth Welfare Federation, are unlawfully collecting taxes in the form of donations from passenger vehicles like buses and goods carriers traversing the Imphal-Ukhrul route.
During a visit to the Inter-State Bus Terminal at Khuman Lampak on Thursday, EastMojo observed numerous passengers bound for Ukhrul stranded in Imphal due to the indefinite bandh.
Tayamoi Rai, who traveled from Jiribam district, expressed disappointment as she was unaware of the bandh and found no means of transportation to Ukhrul from Imphal.
“I will have to stay back at a hotel if I don’t find any vehicle,” said Rai, a laborer currently working in the hill district.
Another passenger, Omrat, who travelled from Kanglatongbi, approximately 20 km from Imphal, shared a similar experience, stating, “I am planning to go to Sinakeithei village in Ukhrul district, but I will have to return home again since there is no public transportation operating along the route.”
Vijay, a bus driver plying the Imphal-Ukhrul road, revealed that passenger vehicles along the route have remained off the road for the past two days.
“How can we sustain if various organisations impose rampant taxes and donations on us despite the shortage of passengers?” Vijay questioned.
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To enforce the bandh, the JAC has stationed volunteers at three locations, namely Mahadev, Litan, and Finch Corner. Additionally, private vehicles are permitted to traverse the route only after obtaining a car pass from the JAC.
As there has been no resolution to their grievances, the JAC announced that the bandh will persist until further notice.
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