Imphal, July 20: A joint action committee of transport organisations of Manipur today accused the center and the state government of failing to protect people travelling on Imphal-Silchar National Highway who are subjected to extortion and torture by Naga militants. In a statement the joint action committee said suspected Naga militants have been extorting and harassing public and transporters along this highway for several months besides, torturing innocent civilians in the name of searching for rival underground members.
Passenger buses have stopped plying along the highway for more than a month in the wake of the frequent attacks but the government was yet to take any action, it alleged. Official sources, however, said the state government had decided to step up security along the highway but deployment of additional personnel was yet to be made.
The joint action committee also appealed to village authorities, church leaders and non-government organisations in the hills to appeal to militants not to disturb innocent people. Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar road is the second most important highway in the state after Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati National Highway as it links the state with the rest of the country.
Bureau Report