Petroleum Transport in Manipur Resumes After Strike Suspension

Petroleum tanker and LPG transportation in Manipur is set to resume following the suspension of a strike by drivers. The All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers’ Association has called off the strike after receiving assurances from the Chief Minister regarding safety and compensation for injured drivers. A stakeholders' meeting is scheduled for September 15, where further discussions will take place. The drivers had previously demanded guarantees for safe passage along NH-37 after an attack on their convoy. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by drivers in ensuring the safe transport of essential goods in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 14, 2026, 14:41 IST

Petroleum Transportation Update in Manipur

File image of All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers’ Association (AMPPDA) during the strike (Photo: AT)

Imphal, Sept 14: In Manipur, the transportation of petroleum tankers and LPG is set to remain halted until a meeting with Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh takes place, despite drivers having ended their strike on Monday.

An official from the All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers’ Association (AMPPDA) indicated that the meeting with government representatives is anticipated on September 15.

“We are looking forward to a stakeholders’ meeting with the government on September 15,” the official stated.

Following this meeting, drivers plan to resume loading petrol and diesel from the Malom depot and LPG from the Sekmai bottling facility, as well as transporting petroleum products from Jiribam to Imphal.

The strike was called off after the Chief Minister provided assurances, including financial compensation for drivers injured during an attack on an oil tanker convoy in Noney along NH-37.

The AMPPDA initiated the strike to demand safe passage for petroleum tankers on the highway.

“Drivers represent all communities, and the essential goods are for everyone,” the association emphasized, appealing to all communities to refrain from targeting drivers in the future.

Additionally, drivers had conducted a sit-in protest outside the Malom oil depot on the outskirts of Imphal.

In a press release, the association expressed regret for any public inconvenience caused during the strike and thanked the community for their support of drivers facing challenges in transporting essential goods.

Meanwhile, the Manipur IOCL Retail Outlet Dealers Association has called on the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and the government to take swift action to ensure the safety of drivers and helpers involved in petroleum transport.

They also requested sufficient fuel supplies at the Malom oil depot through timely and increased replenishment, underscoring the depot's critical role in the state's fuel security.

Manipur is home to 227 retail outlets, including 157 operated by IOCL.

This latest development follows demands from petroleum tanker drivers for written security guarantees before they would resume operations along NH-37 after the September 10 attack in Noney district, which resulted in injuries and damage to vehicles.

Drivers have also requested a formal government agreement supported by a Gazette notification, compensation for injured personnel and damaged vehicles, and action against those responsible for the attacks and alleged illegal taxation of vehicles transporting essential goods.

While the Manipur Police Control Room has asserted that NH-37 is open and vehicles are receiving security support, petroleum tanker drivers continue to seek further assurances specifically for fuel convoys before they return to regular operations.