Truckers withdraw strike, Nagaland assures security to drivers

The agitating truckers on Tuesday withdrew their indefinite strike and allowed hundreds of stranded goods carriers from Assam to move towards Nagaland and Manipur following assurance by the administration to provide security to the truck drivers in the state.

The agitating truckers on Tuesday withdrew their indefinite strike and allowed hundreds of stranded goods carriers from Assam to move towards Nagaland and Manipur following assurance by the administration to provide security to the truck drivers in the state.

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Hundreds of goods laden trucks had been stranded on highways for the past four days refusing to enter Nagaland following an indefinite chakka jam called by All Assam Truck Owners, Drivers and handymen Association protesting against extortion by underground groups and various organisations in the state, particularly in and around Dimapur.

The decision to ‘temporarily´ withdraw the strike was taken after officials from Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Dimapur Chambers of Commerce and Dimapur Medicine Dealers Association held discussions with Bokajan Truck Owners Association, which also joined the strike.

Officials of Dimapur district administration met the agitating truckers at Bokajan in Karbi Anglong district on Monday and assured security to truck drivers who often bore the brunt of the extortionists.

Meanwhile, after receiving complaints of rampant illegal tax collections on highways from various organisations and individuals, the state government asked all District Collectors and Superintendents of Police to dismantle all unauthorised check gates.

The government also asked the authorised departments and agencies to collect taxes through treasury challans and not by cash.