Sobhapati Samom
IMPHAL, Jan 15 – Manipur has lost more than 250 drivers in incidents on the highways while ferrying essential goods for the State since the late eighties.“We have lost more than 250 of our colleagues while serving the people”, Manipur Drivers Welfare Associaton (MDWA) secretary M Tomba said on the occasion of 24th Drivers Day here on Monday.
Paying floral tributes to the departed souls besides honouring their family members, Drivers’ organisations have been observing the Day to remember the sacrifices of two Manipuri handymen on NH 39 besides acknowledging the dedication of drivers while executing their duties of ferrying essentials items and passengers.
Drivers and the transporters have always faced the brunt of agitators whenever bandhs, blockades and violent agitations hit the State.
In a move to face their problems unitedly when their vehicles are damaged or drivers are killed, a joint forum of drivers of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur has been formed recently, according to MDWA secretary M Tomba.
The All Manipur Petroluem Tanker Drivers’ Union also observed the Day where Education Minister Moirangthem Okendra Singh acknowledged the contributions of drivers to the people of the State. He also expressed the need to address the grievances of the drivers community.
