TDC suspends stir
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Jiribam, August 19 2026: The Transporters' and Drivers' Council (TDC) has withdrawn its hands-off steering wheel stir announced yesterday after a meeting with Chief Minister, DGP and high ranking officials of the CRPF today.

"The Chief Minister, officials of the CRPF and the DGP have given assurances to issue strict orders to the SP Jiribam to 'stop harassing' drivers, and bring in all stranded vehicles within 2-3 days.

Respecting these assurances, a decision has been taken to withdraw the hands-off steering wheel stir," said Hijam Ranjit, president, TDC .

Notably, the TDC had yesterday accused the Jiribam SP of wrongly accusing drivers of carrying loads beyond permitted limit and harassing drivers.

Briefing media persons, Ranjit said during the meeting today, the Government also agreed to providing and organising proper road opening parties (ROPs) before dispatching vehicles under security escorts.

Meanwhile, at Jiribam today, drivers staged a sit-in protest in front of the Congress office at Babupara and demanded immediate transfer of the district's SP .

During the protest demonstration, supported by the All Jiribam Road Transport Drivers Union, the drivers accused the district SP of "harassing" them and issuing challans "randomly" .

The SP's conduct is discouraging drivers from outside Manipur from plying the NH-37.The officer should be transferred immediately and replaced, said the drivers.

"In ferrying goods including essentials, we passed several States without any problem.

But, in Jiribam, we are being harassed and issued challans randomly under the direction of the SP," said a non-Manipuri driver during the protest today.

All Jiribam Road Transport Drivers Union (AJRTDU) general secretary Kh Gopeshore also backed the allegations and claimed that the SP's conduct is discouraging, and hindering transport of goods.

In a highly insensitive action, around 200 vehicles were also dispatched from Jiribam without any security escorts today.

If anything unwanted happens to the drivers of the vehicles, the SP should bear the sole responsibility, he added.

The State Government must pay immediate attention, and replace the SP with an officer who would be more sensitive and understanding towards the drivers, he said.

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