Co-ordinating Body of Trade Unions, Manipur, a conglomerate of Central and State level trade union organisations in the interest of the Motor ‘Workers and Owners of the state submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today.
L Sotinkumar and Ksh Santa of the Union said on the night of 17th Day of April, 2013 two trucks were burnt to. ashes on their way to fmphal bearing registration numbers MNO4A-3991 and MNO4A-7718 by unidentified gunmen with camouflage combat dress at National Highway 37 between the Seijang Village and Charoi Pandongba Khul. The first truck was loaded with Rice bags cf FCI and the other trucks was loaded with cement for our state’s consumption and use.
The driver of the first truck Sorokhaibam Babu (40) a resident of Samurou Awang Leikai, Imphal West District was shot death by the unidentified gunmen before burning the truck to ashes. The handyman who happens to be the brother in-law of the driver escaped by chance.
The trucks were burnt to ashes and the driver was killed by one of the outlawed Naga Insurgent groups operating in that part of the state. Burning and killing of trucks and driver may flare up ethnic tension it was stated.
The incident strengthened the views that National Highways in the hill areas of Manipur are not safe to the motor workers, owners as well as to the general public.
The Co-ordinating Body of Trade Unions, Manipur submit the following Charter of Demands for immediate implementation for the upliftment and betterment of the motor workers, owners and bereaved family of the deceased driver.
Charter of Demands
1. Book the culprits immediately and punish them according to the law of our country.
2. Pay Rs. ten lacs as compensation and arrange one Govt. job to the bereaved family as the driver was on Govt, duty i.e. FCI,
3. Institute a High Level Committee to look after the causes of such type of incidents.
4. Permanent Highway Protection Force should be manned on the National Highways in the hill areas of Manlpur to protect the vehicles, motor workers, owners and general public.
5. Arrange all educational expenses for life for the daughter of deceased driver.
Meanwhile the BJP, Manipur Pradesh expressed unhappiness over the killing of S. Babu a truck driver and burning down of two trucks on April 17.
A press release of the party said the congress led Ibobi govt did not take the previous incidents seriously.
As a result, torture and killing of drivers on National highways frequently took places. The killing of driver is not the beginning nor it will be the end.
Driver Gobardhan was also brutally killed when he came from FCI godown in the month of February. The incidents were caused due to the congress government both in centre and Manipur.
The government did not take up appropriate actions. The party also demanded punishment of those who involved in the killing of driver Babu.
It also shared the sorrows of the bereaved family.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/trade-unions-demand-permanent-highway-protection-force/
