Guwahati: Petroleum and LPG transporters in Manipur have given the state govt an ultimatum to eliminate extortion and illegal tax collection by various groups along the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of NH-37 by July 30, warning that they will suspend transportation of fuel and cooking gas from the following day if their demand is not met.In a memorandum submitted to chief minister Y Khemchand Singh on Wednesday, eight transporters’ associations of the state said they have been transporting petroleum products and LPG along the Imphal-Jiribam highway under CRPF escort since May 2023, but extortion by various groups has continued unabated.The associations alleged that more than 100 fuel tankers using the route are forced to pay illegal “taxes” on every trip. According to them, the amount, which initially stood at Rs 200 per trip, has now risen to Rs 7,000.“We have raised this extortion issue many times but it is still continuing till today,” the memorandum said.The transporters submitted that the illegal collections are allegedly being made at six locations along the highway — Awangkhul, Kambiron, Nungba, Jiribam Parking, Noney and Oinamlong.Stating that the continued extortion has made operations increasingly difficult and financially unsustainable, the associations urged the govt to ensure a secure and hassle-free movement of petroleum and LPG carriers on the state’s lifeline highway.They warned that if the illegal collections are not stopped by July 30, they would suspend transportation of petroleum products and LPG from July 31, a move that could severely disrupt fuel supplies across Manipur.The 220-km Imphal-Jiribam highway, which connects Imphal with Jiribam on the Assam border, serves as the state’s principal supply corridor for fuel, LPG and other essential commodities.
