Now Reading: Manipur blockade drives prices up 140%; trucker dies, strike called
-
01
Manipur blockade drives prices up 140%; trucker dies, strike called
Truckers called a 24-hour strike on National Highway 37 on Thursday after driver Nagina Kumar Mahto died near Labankhal in Jiribam district. The movement, halting goods on the least blockade-prone highway, came…
The Story in Brief
Truckers called a 24-hour strike on National Highway 37 on Thursday after driver Nagina Kumar Mahto died near Labankhal in Jiribam district. The movement, halting goods on the least blockade-prone highway, came as hundreds of trucks remained stranded on NH-202 for nearly three weeks. The blockade and counter-blockade by Naga and Kuki groups have pushed essential commodity prices up 140% in Manipur, according to ET Bureau.
More than 400 trucks are stuck near Litan on the Imphal-Ukhrul route. Drivers say they have been without food or water for 20-25 days. The first round of talks between the Manipur government and the United Naga Council (UNC) was called 'fruitful' by a government spokesperson. UNC president Ng Lorho said the blockade would continue until its demands are met. Movement on NH-2, Manipur's main lifeline, remains restricted for some communities since the May 2023 ethnic conflict.
The Indian Opinion
The narrative that political talks are making progress ignores the human toll. A driver has died, stranded for weeks without help. The United Naga Council calls the meeting an 'ice breaker' while continuing the blockade. Talk alone will not lower prices or save lives. Will the Manipur government secure safe passage for stranded trucks and compensate the driver's family before another death is reported? That will show if the 'ice' is really breaking.
Sources (2): economictimes.indiatimes.com, thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
