Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 12 2010:
A Tata Magic transporting people to attend a public meeting to be addressed by Sonia Gandhi amidst the 15-hour bandh imposed by 17 civil organisations was torched by two unknown youths along the Uripok-Kangchup road at Shamushang Uku.
Two motorcycle borne youths hurled a petrol bomb and torched the vehicle bearing registration number MN01W-9236 on its way back with the people (from Uripok Kendra) who attended the public meeting at 3.40 pm, a police report said.
The vehicle was driven by one Pebam Robindro of Lamboi Khongnangmakhong.
Police who rushed to the spot on getting the news saved the vehicle from a total burned out.
No one in the vehicle sustained injuries in the incident.
Meanwhile, normal life was severely affected today owing to the 15-hour general strike called by 17 civil organisations registering a strong protest against the Central government's apparent lack of interest and responsibility in confirming the whereabouts of UNLF chairman RK Meghen who reportedly arrested in Bangladesh.
Streets in Imphal wore a deserted look.
Shops and business establishments remained closed for the day even though Kangla fort was filled with people coming from different parts of the state in buses and vehicles provided by Congress ministers and MLAs.
Due to the twin general strike, one 15-hour called by 17 civil organisations on Meghen, and another 10-hour called by Kabui women on the vendor seat allocation matter, all modes of transport including inter-state and inter-district passenger services remained suspended for the day.
In the early hour of the strikes, supporters took to the streets at Lilong, MU Gate, Langthabal, Nambol, Chingmeirong and Khongjom to burn debris and old tyres on the road with the intention of disturbing traffic movements.
Police doused all the fires.
Buses and vehicles transporting people from different places reportedly collected by Congress Ministers and MLAs were escorted upto Imphal by security forces.
Meanwhile, miscreants suspected to be militants looted a freight truck (MN02-6946) at a place near Bim Parou village along the Imphal-Dimapur section of NH-39 this evening, a police report said.
Documents of the freight trucks loaded with grocery items and a mobile set of the driver were among other items looted by the miscreants, the report added.