Manipur: Drivers' Union rushes relief to truckers stranded on NH-2, urges government to resolve highway deadlock

In a humanitarian intervention amid the prolonged disruption of National Highway-2 in Manipur, the Sadar Hills Inland Transporters' and Drivers' Union (SHITDU) has provided emergency relief to truck drivers stranded for several days between two opposing protest sites, while urging the state government to restore free movement along the crucial highway.

The stranded truck drivers, many of whom are from outside Manipur, have remained caught between Namduilong-Kanglatongbi, where a Liangmei Naga group has been enforcing an economic blockade for more than two months, and the Gamgiphai Buffer Zone, where Kuki-Zo organisations have intensified a round-the-clock agitation demanding the lifting of the blockade and the restoration of unrestricted traffic on the highway.

The prolonged standoff has left dozens of truckers immobilised for over five days. According to the drivers, many had exhausted their food supplies, lacked access to drinking water and sanitation facilities, and had received little or no assistance while stranded on the highway.

Although the Manipur Government reportedly escorted some stranded drivers back towards Imphal, several others continue to remain trapped with no indication of when vehicular movement will resume.

Responding to the situation, SHITDU mobilised emergency relief and distributed rice, cooking oil, drinking water and other essential supplies to the affected drivers. The union also assured them that humanitarian assistance would continue for as long as they remained stranded.

One of the truck drivers expressed gratitude for the support, stating that the relief had brought much-needed assistance after days of hardship. He said the drivers had not only run out of food but were also enduring severe difficulties without access to even basic sanitation facilities.

"There is no toilet even for nature's call. We sincerely appeal to the Government to ensure our safe passage at the earliest," the driver said.

SHITDU spokesperson Lenpu Chongloi said the stranded location did not fall within the union's jurisdiction, but members chose to intervene on humanitarian grounds.

"These drivers are performing an essential service for society. They should not be left abandoned in the middle of a confrontation. We rushed to them because humanity comes first," he said.

Chongloi said the union remains committed to the welfare of transport workers irrespective of caste, creed, religion or ethnicity and would continue to extend support whenever drivers are in distress.

"Our responsibility is towards the welfare of drivers. Whether day or night, irrespective of community, we will continue to stand by them whenever they are in distress," he added.

The union appealed to all parties involved in the highway standoff to recognise the indispensable role played by transport workers and to consider the hardships faced by drivers stranded amid the ongoing confrontation.

SHITDU also urged the Manipur Government to take immediate steps to resolve the prolonged impasse and restore unhindered movement along National Highway-2, stating that transport workers should not become casualties of competing agitations while performing essential services.

National Highway-2, one of Manipur's principal arterial routes connecting the state with the rest of the country through Nagaland, has remained severely affected for months due to the continuing blockade and counter-agitation, disrupting civilian movement, supply chains and freight transport while exposing stranded transport workers to worsening humanitarian conditions.