Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Manipur authorities and petroleum transporters inked a deal Saturday to overhaul security on National Highway 37. The move follows a strike by drivers protesting rampant extortion along the supply route connecting Imphal and Silchar. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh chaired the late-night session at his office to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding.
Transporters demanded better security convoys and Road Opening Parties to guard their shipments. Since ethnic violence began in May 2023, fuel and LPG tankers have traveled under police escort. Drivers claim miscreants now charge up to 7,000 rupees per truck, a massive jump from the original 200 rupee demand. These illegal taxes have spiked operational costs for every convoy of 100 tankers.
A new Coordination Committee will now manage convoy protocols. The Commissioner of Home chairs this group, which includes representatives from the police, the CRPF, the CAF&PD Department, and transport unions. They have one month to rewrite the Standard Operating Procedure and publish it in the state gazette. Officials must keep existing safety rules in place until the new guidelines take effect.
The government ordered district Superintendents of Police to launch special drives against highway extortionists immediately. Police Headquarters will appoint a specific nodal officer to oversee NH-37, supported by sub-nodal officers stationed in each district. These security measures face monthly reviews to adapt to changing threats.
Addressing the agreement, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of stable supply chains. “Our Government remains steadfast in its commitment to keeping our highways secure and protecting the interests and livelihoods of our people,” he posted following the meeting. The transport strike, which began July 31, is expected to end now that the state has committed to these enforcement changes.
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