Drivers threaten intense stir over assault by cops
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 18 2025: The steering-off protest launched by LPG and petroleum carriers over the physical assault of LPG tanker driver Khumukcham Herojit by two Manipur police personnel at Luwangsangbam, entered its third day on Wednesday.

In this regard, the drivers have threatened to intensity the protest by shutting down of the Sekmai Bottling Plant and Malom Oil Depot in case the government continues to ignore their demands for swift actions and justice in the case.

On Wednesday, amid the steering-off protest, as many as 120 LPG and oil tankers, heading from Imphal to Jiribam, remained stranded in between Moidangpokpi and Keithelmanbi.

Ph Ojit, a representative of the protesting drivers, told The People's Chronicle that the protest would continue until the police personnel involved in the incident are punished according to the law of the land.

He cautioned that if the government continues to ignore their demands, then the Sekmai and Malom facilities would be shut down as part of intensified protests.

Strongly condemning the assault on drivers who are working tirelessly to bring essential goods for the people, Ojit said driver associations' had set a 48-hour deadline for the government to arrest and punish the personnel responsible.

However, lack of positive response from the authorities prompted the drivers to continue the steering-off agitation.

Ojit recounted that on June 15 around 11:30 am, Khumukcham Herojit was returning from Sekmai Bottling Plant when he was stopped at Khabam Lamkhai by an unregistered white bulletproof Scorpio which had emerged from near the residence of the former chief minister in Luwangsangbam.

The two personnel driving the Scorpio struck Herojit on the head with their pistols, resulting in a head injury for which he is currently receiving treatment.

As a part of the protest, the drivers raised slogans condemning the incident.

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