With Manipur facing the spectre of a fuel supply disruption, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam has assured transporters that the government will take necessary steps to address rampant extortion along the state’s national highways and restore confidence among goods carriers.
The assurance comes amid growing pressure from transporters’ associations, which have repeatedly alleged that illegal taxation and extortion on the highways have continued unabated since the outbreak of the ethnic conflict in May 2023, severely affecting the movement of essential commodities into the state.
Despite repeated representations to the authorities over the past three years, the associations contend that no effective mechanism has been put in place to curb the illegal collections or ensure safe passage for transport vehicles.
Warning that the situation had become untenable, the transporters had announced that fuel supplies to Manipur could be suspended from July 31 if the government failed to intervene. The warning triggered concerns over a possible shortage of petroleum products in the state, which depends heavily on supplies transported through the national highways.
Passenger transport operators have also voiced concern over the deteriorating security situation, demanding the restoration of regular security escorts for vehicles travelling on vulnerable highway stretches.
According to the transporters, persistent extortion has sharply increased operating costs and placed an unsustainable financial burden on transport operators, threatening the uninterrupted movement of essential goods.
The associations have urged the state government to launch a decisive crackdown on extortion networks operating along the highways, strengthen security on key transport corridors, and provide compensation for losses suffered by transporters due to the prolonged crisis.
The Home Minister assured the transporters that the government would examine their concerns and take appropriate action to address the issues raised, particularly those affecting highway security and the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to the state.
