Truck drivers in Manipur on Saturday suspended the movement of goods across key highways and staged a protest in Imphal West district following the killing of a commercial vehicle driver in an armed attack a day earlier, intensifying concerns over the safety of transport operators in the state.
The protest was held at Keithelmanbi, where hundreds of drivers assembled and declared that the movement of trucks along National Highway-37 (Imphal–Jiribam Road) would remain suspended until adequate security arrangements were put in place, a senior police officer said.
The agitation was triggered after a truck driver from West Bengal was killed and a police constable injured when suspected militants opened fire on a convoy of goods vehicles in Ukhrul district on Friday. Security forces have since launched search operations and area domination exercises in the region to track down those responsible, Manipur Police said.
As part of the protest, around 400 trucks, including LPG tankers, oil tankers and goods carriers, were left stranded at Keithelmanbi, with drivers refusing to resume operations amid fears for their safety on conflict-prone routes.
Also read: Militants ambush convoy in Manipur, driver shot dead
A protesting driver, M Tomba Singh, said the decision to halt operations was taken in response to the killing of a colleague who had been engaged in transporting essential commodities across the state.
“One of our innocent colleagues, who had been working relentlessly to supply essential commodities for the people of the state, irrespective of ethnicity, was killed by militants. We have decided to immediately halt all work till proper security is given to us,” Singh said.
Another driver said truckers play a crucial role in transporting essential supplies such as rice, onions, potatoes and petroleum products across Manipur, and their safety must be ensured.
“Our friend, who was killed, had a daughter. Her marriage is scheduled soon. Who will look after them now?” he said, expressing grief over the incident.
Driver representatives reiterated that transport services along NH-37 would remain suspended until concrete security measures are implemented and safe passage is guaranteed for commercial vehicles operating in the state.
The suspension of truck operations has raised concerns over possible disruptions in the supply of essential commodities, including fuel and food items, if the situation persists for an extended period.
Authorities have not yet announced specific measures in response to the demands, while security agencies continue to closely monitor the situation along key transport corridors.
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