IMPHAL | Petroleum transporters and passenger vehicle operators in Manipur have given the state government until July 30 to address alleged extortion along National Highway-37, warning that fuel and LPG transportation could be suspended if the issue remains unresolved.

In a joint memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on July 15, seven transport and dealers’ associations, including the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association and the HPCL Dealers Association, raised concerns over what they described as escalating illegal collections along the Imphal-Jiribam route.

The associations alleged that fuel tanker operators are being forced to pay more than ?7,000 in illegal levies for each round trip despite travelling under the protection of CRPF security escorts. According to them, the amount collected has risen sharply over the years from around ?200 per trip to several thousand rupees.

The memorandum claimed that tanker drivers travelling from Imphal to Jiribam are asked to pay ?500 at Awangkhul, while additional collections are allegedly made during the return journey, including ?5,000 at Oinamlong, ?3,500 at Kambiron, and between ?500 and ?1,200 at locations such as Jiribam Parking, Nungba and Noney.

Transporters said freight rates are fixed by oil marketing companies, leaving them unable to recover the additional expenses arising from the alleged extortion.

The associations warned that if the government fails to dismantle the alleged extortion network or compensate transporters for the financial losses by July 30, they will halt the movement of petroleum products, oil and lubricants (POL), and LPG along NH-37 from July 31.

Passenger vehicle operators have also voiced concerns over security along the highway, alleging that inadequate escort arrangements have left several vehicles travelling to Tamenglong, Nungba, Noney and Jiribam stranded at New Keithelmanbi.

They urged the government to provide dedicated security escorts for passenger vehicles instead of limiting protection to truck convoys, arguing that such a measure is necessary to ensure the safe and uninterrupted movement of commuters.

The transport bodies expressed hope that the state government would intervene promptly to address the issue and prevent any disruption in the supply of essential commodities, including fuel and cooking gas, to the state.