IT Correspondent
Jiribam, August 19:
Lorry drivers under the banner of the All Jiribam Road Transport Drivers Union (AJRTDU) staged a sit-in protest today in front of Congress Bhawan, Jiribam, demanding the transfer of Prakhar Pande, Superintendent of Police (SP), Jiribam.
The protesters alleged that truck drivers transporting essential commodities to Manipur have been facing various difficulties and harassment from the Jiribam District Police.
Speaking to the media, AJRTDU General Secretary Kh. Gopeshwar Singh said the main objective of the sit-in protest was to demand the transfer of the Jiribam SP. He alleged that lorry drivers arriving from different states with essential commodities had not faced any major problems while travelling through other states, but encountered several difficulties after entering Jiribam district.
According to him, drivers often have to wait for security escorts and are also subjected to overloading checks and challans by the Jiribam District Police.
Gopeshwar Singh further stated that the AJRTDU collects Rs.100 from each lorry driver as a welfare fund, which is used to assist drivers during times of need. However, he alleged that the Jiribam SP had stopped the collection of the welfare fund.
The AJRTDU General Secretary appealed to the concerned authorities to transfer the present SP, alleging that the officer had failed to understand the difficulties and concerns of lorry drivers. He also urged the authorities to appoint an officer who would be more responsive to their concerns.
Another truck driver, Hari Sagar Singh from Uttar Pradesh, said drivers coming from different states had not encountered any major problems while travelling through other parts of the country. However, he claimed that once they entered Manipur through Jiribam district, they faced various difficulties, which he described as excessive.
He also spoke about the experiences of drivers with police activities, which he characterised as going beyond what was acceptable.
Hari Sagar Singh further stated that, because of these problems, the drivers contacted the All Jiribam Road Transport Drivers Union and sought its assistance. He added that the Jiribam-based drivers’ union had provided them with all possible support and assistance.
Hari Sagar Singh concluded by saying that the drivers stand united with the union and will not resume their journey unless they receive further instructions from the union.