Nearly 600 vehicles carrying essential goods remain stranded on NH-2 for nine days amid the shutdown following the killing of three Thadou church leaders.
Imphal, May 21: Hundreds of goods-laden vehicles remained stranded along National Highway-2 for the nine consecutive day on Thursday following the shutdown enforced by Kuki Inpi after the killing of three Thadou church leaders in an ambush near Kotlen in Kangpokpi district earlier this month.
As per information received by NE Dispatch, nearly 600 vehicles have been stranded along the Imphal-Dimapur highway stretch from Khuzama in Nagaland to T. Khullen in Senapati district since May 13. Many of the stranded trucks are transporting perishable items including tomatoes, potatoes, onions, fruits and other vegetables meant for markets in Manipur.
Drivers and transport workers told NE Dispatch that prolonged exposure to rain and heat has already damaged a large portion of the goods being carried, raising fears of heavy financial losses for traders and transporters.
One stranded driver, speaking to NE Dispatch, said the vegetables and fruits loaded in the vehicles had started rotting after remaining halted on the roadside for days. He said that under normal circumstances, trucks carrying vegetables from Guwahati reach Imphal within two days, but the ongoing blockade has left them stranded for over a week.
“If this situation continues for a few more days, most of the vegetables and fruits will completely rot and become unusable,” a driver
The driver further described the worsening living conditions faced by those stranded on the highway. According to him, food items and drinking water have become scarce as hundreds of drivers and helpers remain stuck in the area. Small roadside shops near the stranded vehicles have reportedly run out of essential supplies such as rice, dal and other daily necessities due to rising demand.
As per source, local drivers’ unions and security personnel deployed in the area have been extending limited assistance by providing drinking water and some essential items. However, drivers said the support remains insufficient considering the large number of stranded people.
Many drivers have also reportedly fallen ill after spending days inside vehicles amid unpredictable weather conditions. Some drivers expressed concern that prolonged uncertainty could discourage transporters from taking up trips to Manipur in the future.
A Transport Union leader said that drivers have continued transporting essential goods for the people despite facing repeated risks on highways. He said that drivers routinely encounter accidents caused by harsh weather, frequent bandhs and blockades, and threats from armed miscreants while carrying supplies into the state.
“The goods transported by these drivers are meant for the people of the entire state and not for any particular community,” ~ Transport Union
He further stated that since the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, 2023, many transport vehicles operating on the highways have been driven by people from outside the state. Looking at the present hardships faced by drivers stranded on NH-2, he expressed concern that many transport workers may become reluctant to travel to Manipur in the future.
Transporters' bodies appealed to all communities to cooperate in ensuring the safe movement of stranded vehicles and urged the Manipur Government to take immediate steps to restore normal transportation along the highway.
National Highway-2 remains one of the most important lifelines connecting Manipur with the rest of the country, carrying fuel, food items, medicines and other essential commodities into the state. Any prolonged disruption along the route often affects supply chains and market prices across Manipur.
As of Wednesday evening, there was no official confirmation on when normal traffic movement along the highway would resume.
