IT News
Imphal, Sept 26:
Nearly 100 goods trucks have been stranded in Jiribam town due to the indefinite shutdown of National Highway 37 within the Tousem Sub-Division, according to local sources. The shutdown, which began at midnight on September 24, was called by four student organizations: the Tousem Area Students’ Organisation (TASO), Tousem Headquarters Students’ Union (THSU), Zeme Students’ Organisation Manipur (ZSOM), and Chramram Segment Voice. These groups launched the blockade in protest against the government’s failure to relocate the Sub-Divisional Officer’s (SDO) office from Tamenglong District Headquarters to the Tousem Sub-Divisional Headquarters.
The protesting student bodies have expressed frustration over what they see as long-standing neglect by the authorities. According to the organizations, the government has not taken any meaningful steps to fulfill its promise to move the SDO office, leaving the people of Tousem without access to essential administrative services. They argue that the relocation is crucial for improving governance and addressing the unique challenges faced by the residents of the remote Tousem region, which often struggles with infrastructure deficits and lack of government presence.
The indefinite shutdown of NH 37 has already caused significant disruption to transportation, with nearly 100 trucks carrying essential goods, including food supplies and construction materials, stranded. The highway is a vital lifeline for the movement of goods between Jiribam and other parts of Manipur, and the blockade is expected to exacerbate supply shortages in the region if the situation continues.
The student organizations have called on civil society groups, local communities, and concerned individuals to support their cause, stating that the protest will continue until justice is served and the SDO office is relocated as promised. Local authorities have not yet issued a formal response to the demands, and negotiations between the government and the protestors remain uncertain. Meanwhile, the stranded goods trucks continue to bear the brunt of the impasse, with drivers and transport companies facing increasing economic losses.
