Manipur blockade leaves hundreds of trucks stranded, drivers allege poor roads and extortion

Hundreds of oil tankers and goods trucks remained stranded at New Keithelmanbi in Manipur on September 12, as an economic blockade by the United Naga Council (UNC) disrupted movement along key highways in the state.

The stranded vehicles included empty oil tankers and other commercial vehicles that had been unable to proceed for several days. Transporters said the blockade had added to the difficulties faced by drivers already dealing with poor road conditions, long travel times and alleged extortion along the Imphal-Jiribam route.

Purushottam Kumar, a truck driver from Bihar, said he had been stranded for around 10 days.

“I have been stranded here for ten days. The government isn't paying much attention to this either. No one sees the hardship and suffering drivers are going through,” Kumar said.

He said the condition of the roads was another major concern, while alleging that drivers also faced harassment and illegal collections while travelling through the route.

“The roads are in bad condition, and secondly, the extortion along the route is a whole other issue. We have to endure a lot of harassment,” he said.

The blockade was intensified by the UNC from September 9 across several major highways, including NH-2, NH-37, NH-202 and NH-102A. The Naga body has said the agitation is aimed at seeking justice and accountability over the killing of six Naga civilians in May. It has exempted vehicles carrying essential services such as medical supplies, power, water and telecommunications from the blockade.

The disruption has also escalated tensions along NH-37. On September 10, vehicles carrying goods were reportedly attacked with stones near Noney, leaving at least five drivers injured and damaging several vehicles. Transporters subsequently launched a steering-down strike, while the Manipur Drivers’ Association called for greater security for drivers and uninterrupted movement of essential supplies.

Transporters have also highlighted the deteriorating condition of the Imphal-Jiribam highway, saying the journey can take 15 to 20 days because of the poor road surface. They have urged the government to repair the highway, curb alleged illegal taxation and provide adequate security for vehicles operating on the route.