Mortal remains
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 31 2026: The mortal remains of Nitish Kumar, who was shot dead by Kuki militants while transporting goods, have been taken to his hometown in Hooghly district, West Bengal.

Before his body was transported from Imphal Airport for the last rites, members of the drivers' fraternity and others paid their respects for his service at JNIMS, Porompat.

Nitish was killed in a fatal ambush carried out by Kuki militants on May 29, between TM Kasom and Leingangching under Litan Police Station in Ukhrul.

FCI contractor NR Mathai provided an ex-gratia amount of Rs 50,000 to Nitish's family.

Speaking to the media, Nitish's niece, Dipankar Das, thanked the drivers' fraternity of Manipur for helping them transport the body to their village.

All Manipur Road Transport Drivers & Motor Workers Union general secretary Maimom Anil, on the other hand, said that drivers who transports goods and commodities to the State work for a meagre wage.

He emphasised that residents of both hill and valley districts should appreciate the vital role of drivers, who operate on the highways around the clock, in all weather conditions.

In a press briefing held at MG Avenue, Manipur Truck Owners' Welfare Association (MTOWA) president Hijam Ranjit urged the Government to implement strict measures to ensure the safety of drivers and allocate a special fund to support them in times of need.

He thanked Chief Minister Y Khemchand for providing financial assistance to transport Nitish's body to his village and for extending an ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakh to the bereaved family.

The two-day "hands-off-steering-wheel" strike launched by the drivers' fraternity concluded today.

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