IMPHAL, June 17: The All Manipur Night Super Driver Welfare Association (AMNSDWA) have threatened to stop plying all kinds of inter-state passenger vehicles on the national highways from 6am of June 19 if the abducted driver of a night super is not released by 5pm today.
A driver identified as Thokchom Ingobi, 45, of Khongjom Mamang Leikai was abducted by some unknown persons in a four wheeler on the night of June 13 while he was having dinner at Murli hotel, Jakhalabandha, Assam.
Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club, AMNSDWA secretary Irabot said that Ingobi was heading towards Imphal from Guwahati with a passenger on his night super bus before the unfortunate incident occurred.
According to Irabot, the abductors called the Zet Travel Night Super’s office at North AOC the following day and identified themselves as cadres of the Kangleipak Communist Party-Military Council (KCP-MC) Langamba Khuman group and claimed responsibility for the abduction.
“The driver of the Night Super bearing the registration number MN 01-1785 was held captive for not paying the annual tax amounting between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 to the outfit. The outfit further warned the other travel agencies that they will take action against them for failing to pay the annual tax to the party,” AMNSDWA secretary Irabot said, adding that the driver’s association has earlier apprised the DGP of Manipur about frequent threats to the safety of drivers.
Irabot further made an appeal to all civil societies to support their movement for getting the abducted driver safely released.
If the abducted driver is not released by 5pm of June 18 or any kind of settlement is not brought, the drivers union will stop plying all inter-state passenger carriers indefinitely from 6am of June 19, Irabot said.
It may be mentioned that four truck drivers were abducted by unknown armed miscreants near SB petrol pump at Ambrajan under Bokajan police station in Karbi Anglong, Assam on the night of May 27 last.