The five Truck Driver Unions comprising of Dimapur District Truck Drivers Union, the Kohima District Truck Drivers Union, the Senapati Truck Drivers Union, the Karbi Anglong Manja Truck Workers & Drivers Union and the Manipur Drivers Welfare Association, berates the unjustified statement of the so called Coordinate Committee of Four Unions comprising of Dimapur Land Transport Workers Union (DLTWU), Dimapur Motor Workers Trade Union (DMWTU), Petroleum & Land Transport Workers Federation of India (PLTWFI) and Dimapur Truck Owners Association (DTOA) and states that the misconceived notion of the so called Coordinate Committee of Four Unions that being a government registered union gives them a license to collect money from all and sundry is a highly immature statement. In this regard, the five Truck Driver Unions have no objection if the Coordinate Committee of Four Unions have their own respective members to collect their membership fees or whatsoever, but “Who are they including as members in their unions”? and “Who according to them are the ‘all members’ as stated in their Press statement”? for that matter, it is understood that a person/member has to voluntarily join a union, society or association but a compulsory membership cannot be forced or compelled upon any person/member, likewise a person can refuse to be a member of an association, society or Union if he so desires.
Article 19(1)(c) of the constitution of India provides that since the right to form a union belongs to all workmen, every workman under an employer has the freedom to form a union of his own choice and refuse to become a member of any union he does not like. Meaning thereby that, no union can claim a monopoly right or a right to complain if some other union is brought into existence by other workmen. Therefore, it is clarified once and for all that the five Truck Driver Unions are all independent Unions and their members are not affiliated to any of the Coordinate Committee of Four Unions/associations etc. and as such their members/truck drivers are not liable to pay tax/membership fee/office maintenance fee etc. to any of these unions/associations wherein they are not a member. Furthermore, as guaranteed by Article 19(1)(c) of the constitution which give rights to all citizens to ‘form’ associations or unions, with explanatory interpretation of the word ‘form’ as including not only the right to start an association/union but also to continue it, the Dimapur District Truck Drivers Union has already been formed by voluntary genuine truck drivers in consonance with the constitutional provisions and the registration sought from the government is for recognition of the Union and not for seeking permission to collect taxations unlike the Coordinate Committee of Four Unions aforementioned. Article 19(1)(c) of the constitution also provides that where a right is created by statute, it can be taken away by the Legislature, but when a right is ‘fundamental’ it cannot be taken away by the Legislature and can be subjected to such restrictions only as are permitted by the constitution itself. As such the Coordinate Committee of Four Unions cannot resort to cabinet memo 11C/NL-1/99-2000 to take away the rights of the truck drivers to voluntarily form a union to safeguard the interests of its bonafide and registered members. Moreover, the formal procedure for registration of the union is already underway.
The 5(five) Truck Driver’s Union also appeal to the general public - the consumers who are ultimately at the receiving end to support the legitimate and justified fight which shall directly result in lesser freight/transportation charges for all items thereby benefitting our society at large.
The Dimapur District Truck Drivers Union also appreciates the Officer in Charge Shri Mhao of the Jalukie Police Station and his subordinate officers for the prompt arrest of Shri Idwasing Zeliang S/O Helusing Zeliang of Benrieu Village who had physically assaulted one of its members Namely Sadam Uddin on 17th May at Pangdi Junction resulting in serious injury on the victim/driver. The Union also laud the selfless effort of the O.C Jalukie P.S, Members of the Jalukie Town Council Advisory for their concerted Endeavour in bringing about an amicable settlement between the accused and the Union. The Union assures all cooperation to the Police and Town Council in the days to come.
1. KOHIMA DISTRICT TRUCK
DRIVER’S UNION:-
i. Khriesalie - President (9856870459)
ii. Rulevi - Secretary(940273012)
2. SENAPATI TRUCK DRIVER’S UNION:-
i. Asusu - President(9615398059)
3. KARBI ANGLONG MANJA TRUCK
WORKERS AND DRIVERS UNION:-
i. Abdul Noor - President(09613137542)
ii. Krishna Bhattarei - Secretary(09854232531)
4. DIMAPUR DISTRICT TRUCK
DRIVER’S UNION:-
i. Kaiho Zhimomi - President(9436600478)
ii. Suren - Secretary(8729929362)
5. MANIPUR DRIVERS
WELFARE ASSOCIATION:-
i. M. Tomba Singh -Secretary(8974638864)
