Four blockade supporters hurt; 360 goods trucks arrive
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 28 2010:
At least four persons including two women blocking NH-53 at Noney sustained injuries when police and security personnel fired rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of blockade supporters blocking the highway at Lukhambi near Noney today.
Meanwhile, out of 375 goods trucks escorted back from Jiribam by a combined force of 1st Bn Manipur Rifles and 5th IRB, 360 trucks arrived in Imphal today.
The incident of blocking the highway took place at about 12.30 pm at Lukhambi near Noney, 67 km (41 miles) from Imphal on NH-53 .
When the convoy reached Lukhambi area, the oil tanker met with an accident when blockade supporters started pelting stones at the trucks.
Among the four injured persons, two were brought to RIMS Hospital late this evening.
They are Ariyang (45), wife of late Ngamthar and Esther Kamei (25), daughter of Daphui Kamei.
Ariyang sustained injury in the thigh while Esther sustained injuries in both legs.
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As informed by the people who accompanied the injured persons, two other injured persons were treated at a clinic at Noney.
One of the injured persons has been identified as K Bobinson (25), son of Kairansimang of Lukhambi village.
The identity of the other injured person could not be ascertained.
Reports said that the womenfolk gathered in large number when police detained a villager near the place where the oil tanker met with accident.
Detention of the villager added fuel to the anger of the womenfolk.
It was only when top police officials intervened and held talks with the village elders, the womenfolk calmed down.
The detained man was also released.
Officials of the police led by an IGP rushed to the spot and with security officials there efforted to negotiate with the womenfolk and subside the blocking the road and let the vehicle flow undisturbed.
However, they refused which resulted in resorting security forces in firing tear gas and using other mob control devises to disperse them out and clear the route for the truckers.
Reports said that the NH-53 at Lukhambi area was under siege by around 500 women decrying the shooting to injure of the four persons by the rubber bullets.
They also forced to back a crane from the Assam Rifles which was about to head to the place where the oil tanker met accident.
Unable to cross the block place, the Crane turned back, reports said.
Reports also said that windshields of many trucks were smashed when blockade supporters pelted stones on the trucks coming from Jiribam with security escorts provided by the personnel of the 1st and 5th Manipur Rifles before the firing incident at Lukhambi took place.
The incident took place after 170 trucks have crossed the area and reached Imphal at about 9.30 am.
The arrival of around 100 trucks delayed till afternoon as womenfolk totally blocked the road.
Among the freight trucks arrived Imphal 13 tankers with petrol, 19 tankers with diesel and 10 bullet tankers.
The rest were ferrying essential items like food and others, police said.
It may be mention here that the Longmai Area Nishaband Society had in a statement yesterday while stating that society has been trying its best to defuse any misunderstanding and tension that may flare up during the economic blockade blamed the counter blockade in the valley areas.
It had stated that blockade is called for both hill and valley of the whole state.
It is not targeting to any of the community as such and the society working for defusing any misunderstanding and tension that may flare up out of the economic blockade.