Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 15 2010:
Loaded trucks heading Imphal from Mao gate with security escorts were stoned by suspected blockade supporters on Wednesday late evening even as over 77 loaded trucks were reportedly arrived at Mao gate on today.
ANSAM reportedly claimed that windshields of as many as 20 trucks were damaged when its volunteers pelted stones to the vehicles plying with security escorts defying the blockade on the highways.
However, police said that there were no reports of causing damages to the vehicle arriving Imphal last night with security escorts.
Meanwhile, reports received from Mao Gate said that over 77 Imphal bound loaded trucks were stranded at Khuzuma beyond the Mao Gate on the Nagaland side on the NH-39 owing to the blockade and no security team come to escort them back.
Another 27 loaded trucks coming from Assam side on the NH-53 also reportedly stranded at Goladhon in Jiribam on the fourth day of the six day economic blockade imposed by the All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) in protest against the holding of election to the Autonomous District Councils in hill districts of Manipur under the controversial Manipur (Hills) Areas Autonomous District Council (Third Amendment) Act, 2008 .
The cross border trade in the border town Moreh with Myanmar has also greatly affected by the blockade as plying of vehicle on the Imphal-Moreh section of the NH-39 remained suspended for the last four days as they were restricted from carrying goods items.
Blockade supporters blocked the vehicle coming from Moreh side at Thamnapokpi and conducted checking.
They also forced goods found carrying in the vehicles to offload there.
At least five vehicles stranded at Thamnapokpi were escorted back by a team of Pallel police outpost this evening, police reports added.