Transport services for several schools across Imphal were disrupted on Thursday as members of the All Manipur School Students’ Transporters Association (AMSSTA) and local van unions staged a sit-in protest against alleged extortion demands targeting school van drivers at various places in Imphal.
In the protest, held in front of the Community Hall near Liberal College, Luwangsangbam, was organised by the Van Unions operating between Chingmeirong and Leimakhong. Around 22 school van drivers under AMSSTA suspended their services and joined the demonstration, causing inconvenience to students across multiple schools.
Speaking to the media, the protesting drivers expressed deep concern over repeated monetary demands from unidentified groups, stating that such unlawful activities have created fear among van operators and disrupted the safe transportation of schoolchildren. They warned that continued threats would severely impact both student safety and the livelihood of transporters.
The drivers appealed to the government and law enforcement agencies to take immediate action to identify and punish those responsible for the extortion attempts. They also urged authorities to provide protection to ensure uninterrupted school transport services.
Van Union representatives further called on the media to give extensive coverage to the issue, asserting that the safety of schoolchildren and the rights of drivers must be safeguarded without compromise.