Stranded drivers' cups of woes overflow
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 23 2011: The drivers and handymen of 25 empty trucks and 4 loaded trucks which have remained stranded at Kangpokpi since August 1 following the indefinite economic blockade imposed along the National Highways and general strike in Sadar hills area over the district demand have been facing lots of inconveniences with inclement weather starting to take a toll on their health.

According to information received from these stranded drivers and handymen, in all 25 empty trucks had set out from Imphal on August 1 on assigments under the FCI.

However, they could not cross Kangpokpi as the indefinite economic of Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) came into force since the intervening night of July 31 and August 1 .

Another four Imphal-bound loaded trucks which had come from Dimapur also could not cross Kangpokpi on time.

All the 25 empty trucks and the 4 loaded trucks were driven inside the nearby campus of Assam Rifles and have been remaining there since then.

Being stranded for long, the travelling expenditure too have been exhausted and it is getting increasingly difficult to arrange even the daily meals.

Hapless as they are, these stranded drivers and handymen had earlier approached the blockade and strike supporters to allow the trucks to proceed to Imphal.

But they have been cautioned of the possible risk along the route.

As of now, the blockade and strike supporters have been bringing food from their villages to feed the stranded drivers and handymen.

However, prolonged exposure to inclement weather started to take a toll on the health of these stranded drivers and handymen, some of whom have started suffering from fever, cough, etc.

Accordingly, some volunteers of SHDDC yesterday took seven of the sick drivers and handymen to the Kangpokpi Community Health Centre for medical examination.

Taking into consideration the difficulties being faced by the stranded drivers and handymen, volunteers of SHDDC even suggested that they should leave behind the trucks and go to Imphal with the assurance that the trucks would be taken care of in their absence.

However, the drivers and handymen are unwilling in view of the fact that most of them are from places far away from Imphal.

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