Hands-off steering wheel stir launched after drivers hurt in Noney
Trucks stoned, five drivers hurt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 10 2026: At least five drivers were hurt at Noney when mobs pelted stones at a convoy moving towards Imphal this afternoon, prompting truck drivers and petroleum tanker drivers to launch an indefinite hands-off steering wheel stir.

Mobs, enforcing United Naga Council's economic blockade, pelted stones at the convoy at two locations, first at an area between Awangkhun and Noney, and later at Noney bazar area.

The convoy consisting 150 tankers carrying fuel and trucks carrying essential items were moving under security escort toward Imphal from Jiribam when it came under heavy stone pelting.

Hands-off steering wheel stir launched after drivers hurt in Noney

Notably, the NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) was the only route that had remained open after the closure of the NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) after May 17 following UNC's inter-district blockade.

Demanding justice for six Liangmai Naga men who were killed after being abducted on May 13, the UNC had intensified its stir announcing economic bloc- kade on the highways from 1 am of September 9 .

The convoy of vehicles being escorted by CRPF personnel today first came under heavy stone pelting at an area between Awang-khun and Noney.

While some vehicles were damaged, the convoy managed to pass the area.

However, the same convoy came under intense stone pelting again at the Noney bazar area.

Speaking to reporters at Sagoltongba, Naoroibam Abit, a representative of the drivers, said the convoy started moving from Jiribam yesterday, and was halted near Noney at around 1 pm due to the economic blockade.

With the CRPF assuring that there was no threat, the vehicles started moving again at around 3 pm.

However, the convoy came under intense stone pelting by blockade enforcers at the Noney bridge area, he added.

In the barrage of stones, over 20 vehicles were damaged, and at least five dri- vers were hurt grievously, he added.

Two drivers, identified as Aheibam Punshiba and Kumukcham Sanatomba alias Sanamatum, received serious injuries on their heads.

Amid the heavy pelting of stones, Abit claimed some armed persons were collecting money from the vehicles.

Some time later, the convoy managed to reach Keithelmanbi, and the injured drivers were evacuated to hospitals in Imphal for treatment.

Sources said CT scans have been taken of drivers seriously hurt in the incident.

Denouncing the attacks on the drivers, Abit said, the petroleum tanker drivers have decided to launch hands-off steering wheel stir immediately.

The wider drivers' community meanwhile have also condemned the incidents in the strongest terms, and appealed to the public not to repeat such incidents and attack drivers in the future.

"The drivers were bringing essential items, foods and fuel.

What we are doing is service to the people of the State who are already facing the brunt of shortage of essential supplies, and other goods amid blockades.

Attacking drivers is unacceptable," said a driver.

Meanwhile, Manipur Road Transport Drivers' and Motor Workers' Union general secretary Maibam Anil said that trucks will cease operation until concrete steps are taken to enhance ROPs and an agreement is reached with the Government or the heads of the Police Department.