IMPHAL |  Vehicle movement along National Highway-37, the Imphal-Silchar route through Jiribam, resumed on Thursday after the Transporters’ and Drivers’ Council (TDC) withdrew its strike following assurances from the state government and security agencies on driver safety and the movement of stranded vehicles.

TDC president Hijam Ranjit said the decision to call off the strike followed a meeting on August 19 with the Chief Minister, Director General of Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials. According to Ranjit, the authorities assured the transporters that the Jiribam Superintendent of Police would be instructed to ensure that drivers were not harassed. The government also assured that stranded vehicles would be cleared within two to three days.

Another key assurance was that properly deployed Road Opening Parties (ROPs) would precede vehicle convoys moving under security escort along the highway.The assurances came after growing discontent among transporters over the functioning of the Jiribam police administration. The TDC had on August 18 accused the district SP of selectively targeting drivers over alleged excess loading of vehicles.

The situation escalated on August 19 when drivers staged a sit-in at Babupara in Jiribam, demanding the immediate transfer of the SP. The protest received support from the All Jiribam Road Transport Drivers Union (AJRTDU). Drivers alleged that the SP was issuing challans arbitrarily and creating an environment that was discouraging drivers from outside Manipur from operating along the NH-37 corridor.

AJRTDU general secretary Kh Gopeshore also raised concerns over the movement of around 200 vehicles from Jiribam without security escort on August 19. He warned that the Jiribam SP would be responsible for any untoward incident involving the vehicles. The transporters’ body has urged the state government to consider replacing the SP with an officer capable of maintaining better coordination with drivers and transport operators.

Transporters said uninterrupted movement along NH-37 is essential for ensuring the supply of food, fuel and other essential commodities to the valley districts, particularly amid the continuing security challenges in Manipur. With the strike withdrawn, vehicle movement has resumed on the strategic highway, while transporters are now looking to the authorities to implement the assurances given during the meeting.