Hundreds of trucks stranded along NH-2, 37
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 05 2023: The two-day bandh called by Kuki-Zo people followed by economic blockade imposed by ANSAM have left hundreds of goods laden trucks stranded along both NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) roads and drivers are facing lots of problems.

Meanwhile, Hill Area Drivers' Union has drawn attention of chief minister N Biren for reaching an understanding with those imposing bandh/ blockade in the interest of the stranded and suffering drivers who are bringing food and essential items for the entire people of Manipur.

Hundreds of loaded trucks remain stranded at different hilly areas of NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) roads as they could not move due to the total shutdown called by CoTU followed by economic blockade imposed by All Naga Students' Association (ANSAM) .

A driver informed The People's Chronicle that the truckers are risking their lives to bring food and essential items to the state from outside.

Truck drivers who brought goods from Guwahati and other places of Assam since the past few days remain stuck and stranded at different places along Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Jiribam roads due to imposition of total shutdown and economic blockade.

Ration brought by the drivers for themselves have been exhausted and they are unable to purchase any food as there is no shop nearby while some drivers and handymen have fallen sick.

Except for some help from the drivers' union, no help is coming from the government, the driver said and appealed to the government to take up some immediate steps for bringing the stranded drivers to Imphal.

Meanwhile, a statement of Hill Area Drivers' Union said that truck drivers stranded at different places in the hills along Nh-2 and NH-37 are facing huge problems and they are finding hard to get food and water.

It then urged civil society organisations in both the hills and the valley to understand that drivers suffer the most when bandh/blockade is called and it is not right to cause suffering to drivers who are bringing food and essentials for the people irrespective or caste or religion.

The blockade, which entered its third day on Sunday, is aimed at pressuring the state government to restore mobile internet services in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on October 26, 2023 .

Approximately 150 goods-laden trucks en route to Imphal from Assam via Dimapur in Nagaland are stuck between Khuzama (Nagaland) and Mao Gate (Manipur).

Several vehicles have also been halted in the Mao-Tadubi, Lairouching, and Mayangkhang areas in Senapati district.

In solidarity with ANSAM's agitation, several student organisations have expressed their support, including the Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA), Rongmei Naga Students' Organisation Manipur (RNSOM), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), and Naga Students' and Union Chandel (NSUC).

Despite the blockade, Manipur police reported that the movement of.236 vehicles carrying essential items along NH-102 was facilitated on Saturday.

Strict security measures have been implemented in all vulnerable locations, and a security convoy has been deployed along sensitive stretches to ensure the free and safe movement of vehicles.

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