Imphal, Aug. 12 -- Tension escalated along the Assam-Manipur border as nearly 1,500 stranded truckers and tanker drivers protested at the Jiribam police station on Tuesday.

The situation arose after security forces initially dispatched only one convoy instead of the two requested, leaving thousands of people stranded along National Highway 37, which connects Imphal with Silchar via Jiribam.

The Transporters' and Drivers' Council (TDC) has warned the government that its five-day ultimatum remains unchanged. TDC President Hijam Ranjit said that if the state government fails to arrange adequate security escorts for the stranded vehicles before the deadline, transporters will drive towards Imphal with or without official protection.

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