Drivers launch 2-days hands off steering wheel stir

IMPHAL, May 30: A day after Nitish Kumar, a driver, was killed in an ambush carried out by Kuki militants near TM Kasom in Ukhrul, drivers' fraternity has launched a 2-day hands off steering wheel stir bringing a complete halt to movement of goods trucks on highways.
Even as security convoys moved on the highway as usual today, no trucks and fuel tankers moved on the road.
Around 400 vehicles including goods trucks, petrol, diesel and LPG tankers are at stranded at Keithelmanbi along the Imphal-Jiribam road
The hands off steering wheel stir was launched as a show of solidarity with the bereaved family, and to condemn the ambush, said drivers.
The 2-day stir may be extended indefinitely if no appropriate action is taken to secure the highways and ensure safety of the drivers, they said.
It was a targeted attack on drivers who are always on the frontline, braving bandh, blockade and extreme weather conditions and bringing in essential supplies to the State, said the drivers.
Such attacks on drivers may constrain drivers who are outside Manipur to leave for good, they added.
They demanded the Government to arrest the perpetrators.
Unless adequate security escorts are given and safety of the drivers are ensured, no trucks and tankers will move on the highway, said the drivers.
Sources said, security convoys departed as usual from Jiribam for Imphal today, but except some passenger vehicles none of the trucks and tankers moved on the highway.
The Senapati District Drivers Welfare Union has meanwhile condemned the targeting and killing of the driver yesterday in the strongest terms.
The union, in a statement, said the incident has caused fear psychosis among the drivers, and the drivers' community strongly denounces such targeted attacks.
It shared the pain and grief of the bereaved family members.