Manipur fuel transporters threaten shutdown over NH-37 extortion, give govt July 30 deadline

Imphal, July 15: Petroleum and LPG transporters in Manipur have threatened to suspend fuel supplies from July 31 unless the state government acts to stop alleged extortion along the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of National Highway-37, the state’s key lifeline for essential commodities.

In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday, nine transporters’ bodies, including the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association, alleged that fuel tankers continue to face illegal collections despite travelling under CRPF escort.

The associations said petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) and LPG tankers have been operating under security convoys since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, but claimed that nearly 100 tankers in each convoy are forced to pay illegal “taxes” to miscreants along the highway.

According to the memorandum, the alleged extortion has risen sharply—from ₹200 per tanker initially to ₹7,000 per vehicle.

“We have repeatedly raised the issue with the authorities, but the extortion continues. Transporters are no longer in a position to bear these expenses,” the associations said.

The transporters have asked the government to eliminate the alleged extortion by July 30, warning that they will halt the movement of petroleum and LPG tankers from the following day if no action is taken.

The ultimatum comes amid persistent concerns over the security of NH-37, which has served as a crucial supply corridor since the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur. Security forces currently escort convoys carrying fuel and other essential commodities through vulnerable stretches of the highway.

Transporters have urged the government to strengthen security by deploying Road Opening Parties (ROPs), mobile patrols and enhanced convoy protection to ensure uninterrupted movement of fuel supplies.

The state government had not issued an official response to the transporters’ ultimatum at the time of filing this report.

Also read: Drug peddler arrested in Manipur’s Thoubal

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