Drivers suspend cease work strike on NH-2
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 27 2025: Drivers' bodies have suspended their steering down strike on National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur) after a senior police officer assured them of a departmental inquiry into the assault on a truck driver at Sapermeina yesterday and the removal of illegal checkpoints along the highway.

To address the assault of a truck driver by police personnel at Sapermeina yesterday, representatives of the Senapati District Truck Owners' Association (SDTOA) and the Senapati District Truck Drivers' Union (SDTDU) met with the Kangpokpi Superintendent of Police today.

The discussion also covered concerns regarding the operation of illegal checkpoints along National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur).

According to a joint statement signed by the Kangpokpi Superintendent of Police and the SDTDU president, the meeting agreed that all illegal checkpoints along the Imphal-Dimapur road (National Highway 2) will be removed immediately.

Additionally, a timebound inquiry into the alleged assault of a truck driver at Sapermeina yesterday will be conducted by the senior-most officer of the district police and based on the inquiry's findings, departmental action will be initiated against those found responsible within seven days, and the actions taken will be duly communicated.

Speaking to the media at North AOC, Ashepri David, the assaulted driver, recounted that the incident occurred while he was driving home to Tungjoy, Senapati, after unloading goods at Mantripukhri.

He stated that he was part of a convoy of 10 empty trucks heading to Senapati, and while six trucks ahead of him were allowed to pass through the Sapermeina checkpoint without issue, he was stopped by police.

He said that he slowly continued his journey after informing the police he was headinghome.

David alleged that the Sapermeina police personnel chased his truck, accusing him of disobedience.

He claimed that one personnel in civilian clothes hit his truck and him with a stick, intimidating him.

After the incident, David said that he informed the president of his association, who alerted him about police collecting taxes at unauthorized checkpoints.

David claimed that the police team forced him to park his truck near the police station and then took him to the Officer-in-Charge of Sapermeina police station.

David said that he began videorecording while at the police station, but the police attempted to snatch his phone by kicking and punching him.

He alleged that the Officer-in-Charge didn't intervene to stop when he was assaulted.

David said that the police personnel also forced him to delete all the videos and photos he had taken at the police station and the Officer-in-Charge took his identity cards and the truck's key.

Saying that he was taken to Rajmoni Diagnostic Centre at Porompat for the injury on his waist and the doctor advised him to take rest for two months and take medicines, he said that the action of Sapermeina police was excessive.

He urged the relevant authorities to take action against the police personnel who assaulted him and also remove all illegal checkposts.

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