CHURAIBARI / DHARMANAGAR, June 6 (TIWN): Tripura’s lawless highways once again depicted ugly scenarios caused by violent clashes among chaotic truck drivers halting State’s lifeline NH-44. A truck driver from Guwahati on the pretext of protesting against police blocked NH-44 for checking truck shipment documents. Outraged by Police behavior (due to checking or demanding bribes), this Guwahati truck driver positioned his truck in such a way that NH-44 remained blocked till midnight due to lack of timely police action. Due to this sudden rogue behavior by truck driver and police, more than 100 trucks were stranded till midnight, clashes began among other truck drivers and police followed by injury of 16 persons including police personnel. NH-44 vehicle movements fully halted at Sanichara area, under Churaibari due to the unruly activity of the driver and other fellow miscreants. Police took the role of mute spectator as CPI-M backed Tripura Motor Sramik Union (TMSU) interfered in clash to derive political milege.

Miscreant driver has been identified as Nirmal Deb, resident of Beltala, Guwahati.   Police acted in dumb manner till a major clash was developed between the public and the driver Nikhil Deb and his fellow driver supporters. 

When clashed erupted into violent shape at midnight then huge amount of police, TSR personnel were deployed along Churaibari NH-44. Total 16 people were injured, amongst them 13 were TSR personnels. However, police started lathi charge to bring situation in control.

SP Manik Lal Das, SDM Pradip Acharjee, DSPO-Rajdeep Deb,Churaibari O/C-Jayanta Karmakar rushed to the spot after the situation turned worst due to 8 hours of road-blockade.

Tripura Motor Sramik Union leader Nikhil Kar also arrived there and talked to the public and drivers to diffuse the  violent situation..

Locals were fuming due to arrest of a local named Jallaluddin, who had been arrested with Rs. 17 lakhs of money and Police taken Jallaludd into police Station,Mizoram, following which Sunday night's flare-up escalated to war like situation.

Churaibari check-post is the hub of Tripura & Assam's most corrupt officials and bribe seekers,so its no surprise that truckers will revolt time to time.

Tripura's Transport Minister Manik Dey remains in slumber as NH-44 and North Tripura's transportation deteriotates day by day.