Imphal: The Manipur government will invoke the National Security Act (NSA) against militants and miscreants involved in extortion and disruptions along the state’s key National Highways, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at an event in Imphal in the presence of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Konthoujam said illegal activities along the highways had severely affected residents and disrupted the movement of essential commodities.
He said the government would shortly issue a notification under the Control of National Highway (Land & Traffic) Act, 2002, to facilitate the detention of those involved in extortion along the highways.
The announcement comes amid reports of systematic extortion targeting transporters and truck drivers along major transport routes, particularly National Highway 37, connecting Imphal with Jiribam, and National Highway 202.
Drivers have reported being forced to pay as much as Rs 25,000 per vehicle along the roughly 200-km Jiribam-Imphal stretch. In several cases, armed groups allegedly issue payment slips or receipts for the collections.
The extortion has disrupted the supply of essential commodities and led to strong protests by transport unions.
Konthoujam also said the Prevention of Damages to Public Property Act, 1948, would be strictly enforced against those involved in damaging public infrastructure.
He stressed that legal action would be taken without discrimination, nepotism or favouritism against individuals or groups obstructing the movement of essential goods and services.
The Home Minister said lasting peace could not be achieved through violence and maintained that conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and negotiation rather than through the use of guns.
He appealed to all communities and civil society organisations to support peace efforts and protect the integrity of Manipur. He also stressed that security forces alone could not restore normalcy without the cooperation and support of the public.