Driver found dead after being stranded on NH-37; colleagues demand compensation
Truck drivers in Manipur announced a 24-hour strike on August 13 after a goods vehicle driver who had been stranded on National Highway 37 was found unconscious and later declared dead, halting the movement of essential goods into the state. The deceased has been identified as Nageena Kumar Mahto, a resident of Narayanpur, Bihar, according to reports.
Fellow drivers discovered Mahto in his vehicle near Labankhal in the Jiribam district and took him to the Jiribam Primary Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead. Police later dispatched the body to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for a post-mortem, the reports said. Doctors will determine the precise cause of death after the post-mortem report is completed.
Stranded vehicles, mounting hardships
Drivers and helpers have been stranded on the Lakhipur–Jiribam stretch for almost a month, following landslides and multiple blockades. The prolonged standstill has left thousands of loaded trucks unable to reach their destinations. Stranded truckers report acute shortages of basic necessities, including food, potable water, medicines and access to toilets.
- Strike duration: 24 hours from August 13
- Location where driver was found: Labankhal, Jiribam district
- Origin of the deceased: Narayanpur, Bihar
- Impact: Movement of essential goods into Manipur halted
Demands and threat to extend protest
The death has fuelled anger among the stranded drivers, who hold the state and central governments responsible for failing to ensure their safety and for not clearing the highway. The truckers have demanded compensation to the deceased driver's family and immediate measures to reopen the affected stretch. They have said they will refuse to accept the body until compensation is assured, and have warned that the 24-hour stoppage will be extended if authorities do not respond.
Official procedures and next steps
Jiribam police reportedly sent the body for post-mortem at Silchar Medical College and Hospital. Medical officials are expected to issue the cause of death only after the post-mortem is completed. There has been no official statement quoted in the available reports from either the Manipur government or central agencies addressing the truckers' demands or the highway clearance status.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Driver | Nageena Kumar Mahto |
| Found | Near Labankhal, Jiribam district |
| Medical action | Declared dead at Jiribam PHC; body sent to Silchar Medical College & Hospital for post-mortem |
| Protest | 24-hour strike from August 13; possible extension if demands not met |
Wider implications for supply chains
The stoppage affects the supply chain for essential commodities into Manipur. With thousands of vehicles reported to be stranded on the Lakhipur–Jiribam section, markets and consumers in the state may face shortages and price pressures if the impasse continues. Truckers say prolonged delays have strained their ability to obtain food, clean drinking water and medical supplies while waiting on the highway.
What drivers are asking for
According to the accounts of those stranded, the core demands are:
- Immediate compensation to the deceased driver's family;
- Assurance of safety for drivers and crew stranded on highways;
- Swift clearance and restoration of the Lakhipur–Jiribam road to resume movement of goods.
As of reporting, there is no verified response from the Manipur government or central agencies in the public domain addressing these demands. Further investigation and official reaction are awaited, including the post-mortem findings that will clarify the medical cause of death.
The situation underscores the humanitarian challenges faced by logistics workers during prolonged road blockades and natural disruptions, and places immediate pressure on authorities to restore connectivity and address the drivers' grievances.
