Over 200 trucks stranded along NH-37 in Manipur

IMPHAL — More than 200 goods trucks and empty oil tankers are currently stranded at various locations along National Highway 37 following the intensification of the economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC), an apex body of the Naga community in Manipur, sources said.

Most of the trucks are stranded in the Kambiron area of the highway. Meanwhile, around 103 goods trucks, including 55 cement-carrying and 23 transport material-carrying trucks, left Jiribam with security escorts from Imphal on Saturday, reports from Jiribam said.

The movement of oil tankers has also been severely affected after drivers affiliated with the All Manipur Petroleum Product Drivers’ Association launched a steering-down strike to protest an attack on oil tanker drivers in the Noney area along NH-37.

The association has been staging a sit-in protest in front of the oil depot at Malom in Imphal for the past two days. The protesters displayed placards bearing messages such as “Save our drivers, Save Manipur,” “Drivers are Providers” and “We want free passage for our oil tankers along highway.”

Speaking during the sit-in on Saturday, an oil tanker driver, Shamungou, said the protest was being held to highlight the authorities’ failure to protect drivers on the highways.

 “Drivers belong to all communities, and essential items are meant for all communities. Hence, every community should refrain from targeting drivers,” another driver said.

The drivers’ association appealed to all Manipur-based committees and communities to ensure that drivers transporting essential commodities are not targeted during future protests, strikes, bandhs or blockades along the national highways.

The association also urged the state government to swiftly identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the highway attacks and provide assurances that such incidents would not recur.