Petroleum and LPG transporters’ associations in Manipur have urged Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh to take immediate action to stop alleged extortion along National Highway-37, warning that they will suspend tanker operations from July 31 if the issue remains unresolved.
In a memorandum submitted to the chief minister on Wednesday, nine transport bodies, including the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association, alleged that fuel tankers operating between Imphal and Jiribam are being forced to pay illegal collections despite travelling under the protection of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The associations said petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) and LPG tankers have been moving along the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of NH-37 under CRPF escort since ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023.
According to the memorandum, nearly 100 fuel tankers travel in each convoy, and transporters are allegedly being forced to pay illegal “taxes” to unidentified “looters” operating along the highway. The associations claimed that the amount demanded has increased significantly over the past three years.
“Initially, the amount collected was Rs 200 per truck, but it has now increased to Rs 7,000 per truck,” the memorandum stated.
The transporters said they had repeatedly brought the issue to the notice of the authorities but alleged that no effective action had been taken to stop the illegal collections.
“We have raised this extortion issue many times, but it is still continuing. The transporters are no longer in a position to bear these expenses,” the associations said.
They urged the chief minister to ensure that the alleged extortion is stopped before July 30. The organisations warned that if the issue is not resolved by then, they will suspend the movement of petroleum and LPG tankers on the Imphal-Jiribam route from July 31, a move that could disrupt the supply of essential fuel and cooking gas in the state.
