20 Kuki women backed by militants block entire convoy of trucks
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 17 2024: As if there is no Government at all, just around 20 Kuki women and some Kuki militants have blocked an entire convoy of trucks transporting essential commodities to Manipur valley on Imphal-Jiribam highway (NH-37) .

Strangely, the convoy of trucks including oil tankers and LPG bullets numbering 141 was being escorted by CRPF.

The convoy with CRPF escorts left Jiribam for Imphal at around 5.30 this morning.

Just after travelling for 5/6 Kms, the convoy was blocked by a group of around 20 Kuki women and some Kuki militants on a bridge at Tatbung Kuki village near Leingangpokpi under Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district.

When the CRPF personnel talked with the Kuki women blockaders, they maintained that they would not allow transportation of any commodity to Imphal as trucks transporting construction materials for building a bridge have been set afire.

20 Kuki women backed by militants block entire convoy of trucks

Even after repeated talks, the Kuki women refused to budge.

Subsequently, the Jiribam Deputy Commissioner, SP Jiribam, Assam Rifles' CO and OC, Tousem police station joined the talks and tried to persuade the Kuki women to open the National Highway.

As the Kuki women blockaders adamantly refused to open the highway, the Jiribam district administration brought back the convoy of trucks to Jiribam.

The convoy included trucks which have been stranded at Jiribam for many days.

The convoy included 50 oil tankers, 20 LPG bullet tanks and 50 trucks loaded with other essential commodities.

So far, 160 oil tankers and LPG bullet tanks have been stranded at Jiribam.

Earlier, shipping of fuel and LPG was suspended for several days after a convoy of oil tankers and LPG bullet tanks escorted by CRPF was attacked by Kuki militants on NH-37 in between Kaimai and Tollen village on April 16 .

Notably, two drivers sustained injuries in the attack besides causing severe damages to some oil tankers and LPG bullets.

Protesting the deadly attack, drivers resorted to cease work strike for several days.

Not long after movement of oil tankers and LPG bullets had resumed, Irang Bridge was swept away by flood on May 28.As a result, transportation of POL and LPG was suspended again.

Movement of all trucks including oil tankers and LPG bullets was again disrupted by the widespread attack launched by Kuki militants against Meitei people at Jiribam.

Movement of trucks resumed only on last Saturday before it was stopped today.

On account of these repeated disturbances and disruptions, the State has already been facing acute shortage of LPG.

If the situation does not improve soon and transportation of POL and LPG is not resumed within the next couple of days, diesel and petrol may become unavailable to the public.

According to information received from IOCL's Sales Office, Imphal and the Malom Oil Depot, the available LPG stock would not last more than four days while petrol and diesel may last five days and seven days respectively.