Manipur Truckers Strike Over Driver's Death on Imphal-Silchar Highway
Truckers initiated a 24-hour strike on National Highway-37 connecting Imphal and Silchar following the death of a driver stranded for nearly a month. They demand government compensation for the deceased driver's family and better conditions.
Key takeaways
- A 24-hour strike was called by truckers on National Highway-37 in Manipur on August 13, 2026.
- The strike followed the death of driver Nagina Kumar Mahto, who had been stranded on the highway.
- Truckers are demanding compensation for the deceased driver's family and better support for drivers facing prolonged delays.
- The highway has experienced blockades and landslides, leading to drivers being stranded for nearly a month.
Truck operators staged a 24-hour work stoppage on National Highway-37, a key route linking Manipur's capital Imphal with Silchar in southern Assam, on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The action was precipitated by the death of Nagina Kumar Mahto, a truck driver from Bihar, who was found unconscious in his vehicle near Labankhal in Jiribam district. Mahto was subsequently declared dead at the Jiribam Primary Health Centre.
The striking truckers highlighted their prolonged difficulties on the highway, citing sporadic blockades and landslides that have left them stranded for approximately a month. They stated that drivers are enduring weeks without adequate food, drinking water, or medical aid while transporting essential goods into a conflict-affected state. The drivers are calling for financial compensation for Mahto's family from the Indian, Assam, and Manipur governments.
Authorities in Jiribam indicated that an autopsy would be required to determine the precise cause of Mahto's death. The truckers have cautioned that the strike might be prolonged if their concerns are not adequately addressed.
Earlier, on August 8, the Manipur government had announced plans to reopen the state's major highways. While some tribal organizations lifted blockades on NH-202, movement on NH-2, a vital lifeline for Manipur, continues to be restricted for specific communities since the ethnic conflict that began in May 2023.
Sources reviewed
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