GUWAHATI: Manipur's truck drivers suspended operations on Saturday in protest against the killing of one of their members from West Bengal in a militant attack in Ukhrul district on Friday.
National Highways 2 and 37 are the state's lifelines. National Highway 2, which enters Manipur from Nagaland, has remained blocked since the killing of three Thadou church leaders on May 13 and the subsequent abduction of civilians from the Kuki and Naga communities.
National Highway 37, which enters Manipur from southern Assam's Barak Valley, had remained operational. However, truckers said the movement of trucks along the route would remain suspended until those involved in Friday's attack were brought to justice and the government guaranteed their safety.
"We cannot risk our lives anymore," a protesting driver said.
The truckers also demanded the reopening of National Highway 2, which is a shorter route than National Highway 37.
Around 400 trucks and oil tankers remained stranded in the Keithelmanbi area of Imphal Valley on Saturday, where truckers staged a protest demonstration in solidarity with the deceased driver.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met representatives of the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union, along with family members of the slain driver.
"I conveyed my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and assured them that the safety, security and welfare of truck drivers and transport workers remain a top priority of the government," he posted on X.
The 57 year old victim, a resident of West Bengal's Hooghly district, was killed on the spot, while a police constable was injured when a convoy of FCI trucks, LPG tankers and oil tankers travelling to Ukhrul came under attack along National Highway 202 between Leingangching and TM Kasom.
A joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Rapid Action Force and Manipur Police was escorting the vehicles when shots were fired.
Manipur Police said the vehicles had allegedly come under attack from Kuki militants who had taken tactical positions along the route.
"Security forces have launched search operations and area domination exercises in the area to nab the perpetrators," the police said.