From Dimapur to Bihar

Autorickshaw drivers interact with their union president in Dimapur before embarking on their journey. 

30 auto drivers embark on 860 km journey home
 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 16

Without any earning since March 23, a group of autorickshaw drivers in Dimapur began an arduous journey by autorickshaws to Bihar on May 16. According to the Dimapur District Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (DDADU), Tito Yepthomi, 30 of its members moved from Dimapur around noon today in their autorickshaws.  Including their families, the number of people journeying could be well over 50, said Yepthomi. 

The drivers made a choice between the proverbial rock and a hard place, finally deciding to take the risk of travelling of over 860 kms by road crossing over two states on three-wheelers rather than starve here in Dimapur. The journey was estimated to take at least 4 days. 

Asked whether the DDADU has taken any initiative to arrange relief for its members, who have been left without  jobs since March 23, he said that relief ration was distributed at least 2-3 times. He said that the union has no welfare fund and whatever relief provided was through his personal capacity and through donations from individual well-wishers. 

He added that the union also tried to appeal its 30 members to reconsider their decision but they had made up their mind. “They said that they will make the journey even if they die on the road,” Yepthomi quoted the drivers as stating. 

Before they departed today, he said that handing Rs 500 each was all the union could do at best, given the circumstances.  As per Google Maps, the road distance from Dimapur to the Bihar’s district of Kisanganj bordering West Bengal is 865km.