Imphal, Aug. 18 -- A total of 644 loaded trucks and fuel tankers reached Manipur's valley districts under security escort ahead of a 48-hour general strike that began at midnight on August 17.

The vehicles, which had departed from Jiribam near the Assam border, reached their destinations before the shutdown called by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD). The strike will continue until midnight on August 19, with protesters demanding an update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the census process is undertaken.

Officials said the convoy comprised 469 goods-laden trucks and 175 fuel tankers. Three security convoys escorted the vehicles along the route. The first convoy departed from Jiribam at around 6:25 am on...