Monetary demands halt school van service

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 13 : School van drivers halted their service today as they protested against 'unbearable' monetary demands by different organisations.
The protest demonstration held under the aegis of All Manipur School Students Transporter's Association (AMSSTA) was staged at eight locations viz Porompat, Changangei, Samushang, Mantripukhri Bazar, Nambol, Canchipur, Lamphel and Kongba.
The coordinated action not only disrupted student transportation but also highlighted systemic extortion by different organisations.
The protesters contended that some miscreants came to a school, snatched a school van driver's mobile phone, and destroyed it for not answering their calls-an action they described as excessive and unacceptable.
They also said that they feel uneasy while transporting students due to threats from the organisations.
Speaking to the media, a senior member of  AMMSTA said that the school van drivers staged the protest as different organisations have raised unbearable monetary demands on them.
He also said that school van drivers are self-employed people who make their living through a meagre income generated from transporting students and reiterated that they sustain themselves on a meagre income after deducting fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.
Stating that they do not necessarily get their transportation fees every month, he appealed to all organisations to refrain from imposing unbearable monetary burdens on them.
He also said that the organisations threatened to take action against them if they fail to arrange the money.
Saying that they did not want to halt their services as the final school examinations are approaching, but were compelled to do so, he once again appealed to all organisations concerned to withdraw the monetary demands served on them.
He said that the school van drivers may continue the protest if the monetary demand is not withdrawn.