IMPHAL, Aug 19: The DIG CRPF, Imphal, PS RAJORA has said that the CRPF has so far escorted 327 filled oil tankers, 78 loaded LPG bullets, 140 FCI ration trucks, 22 trucks loaded with medicines, 45 trucks of cement and innumerable number of vehicles carrying commodities since the Central force were pressed into service for escorting trucks plying across national highways in Manipur.
Refuting media reports about collection of illegal taxes by some underground element along the NH-39, the DIG, CRPF, Imphal, in a statement issued today said the force is capable of preventing collection of any illegal taxes along the national highway.
The statement said ever since the economic blockade was imposed in Manipur, the people of the state have suffered a lot and the prices of commodities of daily use shot up sky high and in spite of that the commodities were not available easily. It was a real tough time for the common man to have a square meal for themselves. During that time, the CRPF had come to the rescue of the people, it said.
It was for the adverse weather conditions and land slides near Zubza, Kohima that the convoy was suspended till such a time that traffic on NH-39 was restored by clearing the landslide areas. The CRPF personnel have been performing their task with utmost sincerity and devotion and were not allowing even a single incident of harassment which would discourage the truck owners and operators to ply on NH-39.
It said some stuff of daily use was brought into the state through NH-53 despite several odds. Now, the 20-day economic blockade imposed by UNC and other Naga organisations had forced truck operators to ply their vehicles on NH-39 scared of the threat by UG outfits. It was at this point of time that the CRPF, on the initiative by the Central and state Government, was pressed into service exclusively to restore traffic on NH-39, it said.
More than 8 Coys of CRPF have been deployed to ensure safety and security on NH-39 and equal number of forces have been deployed to escort convoys of trucks, tankers and other transport vehicles across NH-39, the statement of the DIG CRPF said.
It added that truck operators and drivers have responded positively to the call once they knew that CRPF would be escorting their vehicles and provide security on NH-39. The task being performed by CRPF is unparalleled under most hazardous and arduous conditions despite adverse weather conditions and landslides on NH-39 at many places. The tasks performed by CRPF have been applauded by the Central and state government as well as the people of the state, it added.
It is but for CRPF, that the sale of petrol and diesel at petrol pumps have been restored in the state, prices of commodities of daily use have come down, due to improvement in supply, stock of LPG has improved and common medicines and life saving drugs are available in the market now. The force has always volunteered with selfless service to help the people of the state, the statement said.
The statement further stated that CRPF has always been in the service to the people and its soldiers have always responded to the call of duty even to the extent of sacrificing themselves. The CRPF has maintained perfect rapport with all factions of the society in the state and the people have reposed their confidence on the force.
The force is all India in character and due to its unique capabilities to adopt to various situational requirements quickly and also work in perfect harmony with the state government, the CRPF, over the years has acquired distinction and has been the most acceptable force by the people all over and also the administration.