Drivers of 50 taxis plying between Imphal and the Thoubal market, a distance of about 35 km, staged a sit-in protest on Saturday at the market.
The drivers told journalists that the eight banned underground organisations had asked them to pay a tax of Rs.1,000 each to all the outfits annually.
The drivers said they had bought the vans, their only source of income, with the help of bank loans. So, they appealed to the banned organisations not to impose such huge taxes. However, there was no response from the outfits.
Indications are that the drivers will stay off the road till an agreement is reached with the outfits.
