Imphal, July 13 -- Extortion targeting trucks transporting essential commodities along National Highway-37 continues despite heightened security measures, with fresh reports suggesting armed groups are openly collecting money from drivers even in the presence of security escorts.

The latest incident came to light after a video circulated on social media allegedly showing an armed man in combat gear stopping goods-laden trucks and demanding payments ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000. The incident reportedly occurred on the Imphal-Silchar stretch of NH-37 while a convoy of nearly 150 security vehicles was escorting civilian traffic.

The development has raised fresh concerns over highway security, coming days after the Director General of...