Petroleum and LPG transporters’ associations in Manipur have urged Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh to take immediate steps to stop alleged extortion along National Highway-37, warning that they will suspend operations from July 31 if the issue remains unresolved.
In a memorandum submitted on Wednesday, nine transport organisations, including the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association, alleged that tanker operators transporting fuel between Imphal and Jiribam are being forced to pay illegal collections despite travelling under Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) escort.
The associations said petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) and LPG tankers have been operating on the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of NH-37 under security escort since ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023.
According to the memorandum, nearly 100 tankers in each convoy are allegedly compelled to pay illegal “taxes” to “looters” along the highway. The transporters claimed that the amount demanded has increased significantly over time.
“Initially, the amount collected was Rs 200 per truck, but it has now increased to Rs 7,000 per truck,” the memorandum stated.
The associations said they had repeatedly brought the issue to the attention of the authorities, but alleged that the extortion had continued without effective intervention.
Stating that transporters could no longer bear the financial burden, the organisations urged the Chief Minister to ensure that the alleged illegal collections are stopped before July 30. They warned that if no action is taken by then, the movement of petroleum and LPG tankers along the route will be suspended from July 31.
