Imphal, May 30: Transport services carrying essential commodities into Manipur have been thrown into uncertainty after hundreds of truck and tanker drivers suspended operations indefinitely in protest against the killing of a fellow driver in a militant ambush along National Highway-202.
The agitation intensified on Friday at Keithelmanbi in Imphal West district, where transport workers assembled in large numbers to condemn the killing of 57-year-old Nitish Kumar, a truck driver from Hooghly district in West Bengal. Kumar was shot dead on May 29 while transporting Food Corporation of India (FCI) supplies under a security escort near TM Kasom along the Imphal–Ukhrul route.
The armed attack, suspected to have been carried out by militants, also left Manipur Police constable Disingam Maringmei injured, further escalating concerns over the deteriorating security situation along key highways in the state.
In response to the incident, transporters announced an indefinite suspension of services, stating that no vehicles would ply until the authorities ensure adequate protection and bring those responsible for the killing to justice.
As part of the protest, nearly 400 vehicles, including LPG bullet tankers, oil tankers and trucks carrying essential goods, remained stationed at Keithelmanbi, effectively disrupting the movement of supplies into the state.
Speaking during the agitation, several drivers expressed growing frustration over repeated attacks on transport workers despite security escorts being provided on sensitive routes.
“We continue to risk our lives to keep essential commodities moving, but incidents like this show that drivers are still vulnerable. We need concrete assurance for our safety,” a protesting driver said.
Transporters also renewed their demand for the reopening and full restoration of National Highway-102, the crucial Imphal–Dimapur corridor, while urging the government to strengthen security deployment along vulnerable stretches of highways frequently affected by violence and extortion.
The indefinite shutdown has triggered concerns over a possible supply crisis, with stranded drivers warning that prolonged disruption may severely impact the availability of fuel, LPG cylinders and food supplies, potentially leading to inflation in market prices.
The May 29 ambush near Yaolen village under Litan Police Station reportedly triggered an exchange of fire between security forces and the attackers, underscoring the continuing security challenges facing civilian transport movement in conflict-prone areas.
With transport operations at a standstill and hundreds of vehicles remaining off the roads, the protest is emerging as a significant challenge for the state administration, raising fears of disruptions to daily life and essential supply chains if the deadlock continues.
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