Reduced escorts strands 600 trucks at Jiri
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 17: Even as around 600 goods vehicles including tankers carrying fuel are stranded at Jiribam only one convoy of security escorts has been provided for Thursday.
A single convoy of security forces normally escorts around 150 vehicles. While the number of convoys was increased earlier to bring in more vehicles, the escort for Thursday (tomorrow) has been reduced suddenly, said drivers stranded at Jiribam.
The sudden reduction in the convoy means less number of vehicles will travel on the Jiribam-Imphal highway, said the drivers.
A large number of vehicles may remain stranded at Jiribam if the number of security convoys is not increased, the drivers added.
The number of convoys may be increased by increasing the number of CRPF companies engaged in the escort duty, the drivers added.
Only nine companies of CRPF are engaged at present. Increasing the strength of the companies may help increase the number of convoys, they said, seeking the attention of the Government.
If only one convoy of escort is given a day, more vehicles will be left stranded at Jiribam. While it may cause losses to truckers and traders, there will also be shortages of essential supplies including fuel in Manipur, they said.
At present, goods are being brought into Manipur on Imphal-Jiribam highway. The Imphal-Dimapur highway has been shut for many weeks due to the present conflict in the State.
Meanwhile, many stretches of the highway between Barak and Sibilong, and Irang bridge area have become very difficult for vehicles to pass, the drivers said. The vehicles are now taking days to reach Imphal due to the deteriorating conditions of the Barak-Sibilong stretch, they said.
IMPHAL, Jun 17: Even as around 600 goods vehicles including tankers carrying fuel are stranded at Jiribam only one convoy of security escorts has been provided for Thursday.
A single convoy of security forces normally escorts around 150 vehicles. While the number of convoys was increased earlier to bring in more vehicles, the escort for Thursday (tomorrow) has been reduced suddenly, said drivers stranded at Jiribam.
The sudden reduction in the convoy means less number of vehicles will travel on the Jiribam-Imphal highway, said the drivers.
A large number of vehicles may remain stranded at Jiribam if the number of security convoys is not increased, the drivers added.
The number of convoys may be increased by increasing the number of CRPF companies engaged in the escort duty, the drivers added.
Only nine companies of CRPF are engaged at present. Increasing the strength of the companies may help increase the number of convoys, they said, seeking the attention of the Government.
If only one convoy of escort is given a day, more vehicles will be left stranded at Jiribam. While it may cause losses to truckers and traders, there will also be shortages of essential supplies including fuel in Manipur, they said.
At present, goods are being brought into Manipur on Imphal-Jiribam highway. The Imphal-Dimapur highway has been shut for many weeks due to the present conflict in the State.
Meanwhile, many stretches of the highway between Barak and Sibilong, and Irang bridge area have become very difficult for vehicles to pass, the drivers said. The vehicles are now taking days to reach Imphal due to the deteriorating conditions of the Barak-Sibilong stretch, they said.