Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, August 25:
A convoy of goods trucks making their way towards Imphal along national highway 39 this afternoon from the Nagaland border under security escort had to run a gauntlet of stone-throwing blockade supporters from Tadubi onwards till Senapati, forcing security personnel to open fire several times.
At least one youth was reported to have been injured in the firing.According to official sources, altogether 43 vehicles, including 8 oil tankers which had been stranded at Khatkati and Dimapur, were in the convoy.
The sources said that after crossing Mao gate at around 4:30 pm, the convoy started facing stone-throwing blockade supporters from near Tadubi onwards.
Blockade supporters continued attacking the convoy all along the way till the Senapati district headquarters, despite the security escorts firing in the air several times.
A number of vehicles suffered damage in the stone throwing, most having their windshields and windows shattered.
The sources said the worst concentration of blockade supporters was between Senapati and Karong, where several hundred had gathered.
One youth, identified as Yamsani Mao, 23, of Makhel village, was hit by a bullet in the buttock in firing' by the security escort at this point.
The injured youth is under treatment at Senapati district hospital, where his condition is reported to be serious.
The sources added that under the face of continued stoning the convoy drove on without stopping at Senapati, which it crossed at around 6:40 pm this evening.
No casualty was reported on the side of the truckers or the security personnel.
The vehicles had not arrived at Imphal till around 11 pm tonight.
It may be mentioned that a strong security contingent consisting of IRB and BSF personnel had left Imphal yesterday along with Manipur Rifles drivers to bring back the trucks and tankers stranded at Khatkhati and other places in Assam and Nagaland since the blockade on NH-39 resumed.
Over 400 vehicles, including a large number of oil tankers are reported to be stranded at Khatkati and at various places along NH-39, but most of the drivers have refused to proceed towards Imphal even under escort as they were still unsure of their safety.