IMPHAL, October 20: Several transporters`™ bodies have today urged the All Tribal Students`™ Union to withdraw its indefinite bandh along the national highways starting this midnight considering the Ningol Chakkouba festival which falls on October 25.
Several other organisations of the State led by All Manipur Ethnical Socio Culture Organisation, AMESCO have also called on ATSUM to withdraw the blockade.
Speaking to media persons in Imphal, All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union president Bhopendra Ghose said the NH 37, 53 Truck Owners Welfare Association, All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, All Manipur Inter State Bus Association and All Manipur Petroleum Transporter Association are jointly making an appeal to ATSUM to withdraw the blockade considering the Ningol Chakkouba festival.
He said the transporters are working for the people of the State irrespective of hills and valley.
The repeated appeals of the transporters to the State authorities to properly maintain the National Highway 37 have all fallen into deaf ears, he continued.
As the State has remained indifferent to the appeals, the transporters will have to meet the Union Minister for Transport Nitin Gadkari to find a solution at the earliest, he said.
Bhupendra also condemned the recent gun attack on a loaded truck somewhere along the NH 37 in Tamenglong which resulted in the injury of a handyman and appealed to all concern not to repeat such threat.
NH 37, 53 TOWA president Kh Inaoba said that the four transporters`™ bodies support any demand for development both in the hills and the valley, however, such bandhs and blockade cannot bring any development.
It will also hinder participation of the women folk from the far-flung areas in the auspicious occasion of ninggol chakkouba, he said.
Condemning the repeated harassment of truckers along the national highways in the State, he appealed to all to stop such atrocities.
A debate on the repeated disturbances and harassment of truckers along the national highways in the State will be conducted soon, he told the media persons.
AMPTA general secretary A Deben spoke on the need to strengthen the security arrangements along the highways passing along the State.
AMISBA general secretary Bimol Singh also attended the press meet.
Meanwhile, All Manipur Ethnical Socio Culture Organisation, AMESCO supported by Manipur Naat Kanba Lup, All Manipur Arts & Culture Students`™ Union and Manipur State Shumang Leela Council has also appealed the student body to withdraw the blockade.
AMESCO president Sh Nando today called upon all to withdraw any kind of disturbances including highway bandhs during the festive season specially ahead of Ningol Chakkouba.
Speaking to media persons at the AMESCO office today, Nando said AMESCO has invited womenfolk from all communities to celebrate Ningol Chakkouba as it has been doing for the past many years.
The day will be celebrated at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, he said.
AMESCO advisor LS Guite said the organisation respects every community irrespective of caste and creed.
He further appealed to ATSUM to withdraw its highway bandh as the organization has already invited women from all communities including those residing in the hills for its Ningol Chakkouba celebration.