Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Manipur's petroleum transporters ended their strike on Monday. The group, known as the Consortium of Manipur Petroleum Product Transporters' Fraternity, dropped their protest after state leaders promised better protection. The strike began on July 31 due to rampant extortion and security gaps on National Highway-37. Tankers are rolling again. Sort of.
While the state government promised a revised Standard Operating Procedure to be logged in the State Gazette, Tuesday told a different story. Around 150 empty goods trucks hit the road toward Jiribam under heavy guard from the CRPF and CoBRA units. Not a single fuel tanker joined the convoy. Transporters remain cautious. They want to see the promised changes work before putting drivers back in harm's way.
Police are moving to lock down the route. The Additional Director General of Police issued orders to deploy teams at vulnerable spots in Tamenglong district, specifically the Kambiron-Sibilong and Makru-Old Kaiphundai sections. Inspector General of Police Kamei Angam Romanus now serves as the nodal officer to oversee these expanded security operations. District police must also hammer extortion networks and sync their efforts with the Assam Rifles, the Indian Army, and the Central Armed Police Forces.
One official noted the government's stance, confirming they agreed to "revise the existing Standard Operating Procedure for convoy movement and notify it in the State Gazette as a permanent measure to curb extortion along NH-37." Until that paper hits the records and the road feels safe, the fuel supply chain stays stuck in neutral.
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