UKHRUL: The Petroleum Product Driver Association has called off its steering-down strike with immediate effect from September 13, while the Joint Tribes’ Council Manipur (JTCM) has withdrawn its total shutdown following the release of five Naga women, bringing an end to two separate disruptions affecting transportation and movement in Manipur.
The Petroleum Product Driver Association said it appreciated the assurances and monetary compensation announced by chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh for drivers who were grievously injured.
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With the strike called off, drivers will resume loading petrol and diesel from the Malom depot and LPG gas from the Sekmai bottling plant. They will also resume transportation of loaded petroleum products from Jiribam to Imphal.
However, the association said petroleum tankers and LPG bullet trucks would not join the empty convoy until a meeting is held between concerned stakeholders and the chief minister, which is expected to take place on or before September 15.
The association apologised for the inconvenience caused to the public during the strike and thanked the public for supporting drivers who had been facing difficulties on the national highway.
It also appealed to all communities and civil society groups in Manipur to ensure that drivers transporting essential commodities are not targeted in future protests, strikes or blockades, noting that the transportation of petroleum products is carried out under an agreement with the Manipur government, which has limited control over movement on national highways.
Meanwhile, the Joint Tribes’ Council Manipur (JTCM) has announced the immediate withdrawal of its total shutdown on National Highway-37 (NH-37) and central government projects following the release of five Naga women.
In its notification dated September 12, the JTCM said the release of Rose Kamei, Stella Thaimei, Khamsinliu Phaomei, Kumthaha Kamei and Ellen Kamei had led it to lift the shutdown.
The JTCM thanked the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei, Zeme and other Naga communities for their unity and peaceful cooperation during the shutdown.
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However, the JTCM clarified that the lifting of its specific shutdown did not mean an end to the wider agitation. It said the intensification of the economic blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC) would continue.
The JTCM maintained that the release of the five women did not resolve what it described as the broader issues facing the Naga people and urged continued support for the UNC’s economic blockade.
It also said the lifting of the shutdown should not be construed as a withdrawal of its demand for justice, stating that it remained committed to seeking accountability for the alleged murder and mutilation of six Naga men.
The developments come as separate transport-related disruptions in the state are being eased, with the petroleum drivers resuming operations and the JTCM withdrawing its specific shutdown, while the UNC’s economic blockade remains in force.
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