Imphal, August 29 2010: While dismissing as 'not true and misleading' report in some State dailies that an empty truck set ablaze yesterday occured while under CRPF escort, DIG CRPF PS Rajora has assured safety of all vehicles moving under CRPF escort parties.

Reacting to the report that the truck (NL01A/2241) was torched by unidentified miscreants at around 2 pm yesterday near Taphou Kuki village on National Highway 39, the DIG pointed out that convoy of empty trucks had as usual left at 5.30 am from Mantripukhri under escort of CRPF personnel while the said truck left Imphal about five hours later.

The move plan is drawn a day ahead and all concerned are informed to report on time and join the convoy, Rajora said today in a statement while clarifying that those who are left behind or arrive late are asked to wait to join the next convoy.

Reminding that convoy timings are decided in coordination with various agencies and security forces as well as BRTF who are engaged for route clearance, he iterated that such a measure is being taken in order to avoid traffic jam at landslide areas.

As confirmed by the driver namely Sharat, the said truck (NL01A/2241) loaded with atta bags reached Imphal on August 27 at around 10 pm under CRPF escort and the load off-loaded the next morning, the statement maintained.

It further stated that when the driver learnt from his colleagues that CRPf escort has already left from Imphal the empty truck began the journey along the Imphal-dimapur section of NH-39 at around 10.30 am without any information to CRPF and without escort.

The convoy of empty vehicles under CRPF escort had already reached Mao Gate when the ill-fated truck left Imphal, said the DIG while asserting that the area where the incident took place is not covered by CRPF ROP.

"Hence the report that the empty truck was moving at the rear of the CRPF escort and got isolated because of technical defect is not true and misleading," the statement continued.

Conveying that the CRPF has been doing their task with utmost sincerity and high devotion, and serving the society with spirit of sacrifice, Rajora further affirmed that every CRPF personnel have responded to the call of duty with sacrifice of self in the face of adversities.

Suggesting that truck drivers and owners move on NH-39 with CRPF escort which runs between Imphal and Dimapur with Mantripukhri as the starting point from Imphal and transit camp at Dimapur the reporting point for loaded vehicles returning back here, he also informed that every vehicle that reports on time is taken under escort of CRPF.

It is the responsibility of CRPF to take these vehicles across safely and hand over after arrival at the destination, Rajora added.