'Armed miscreants burn trucks along NH 37'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 07 2011:
Reacting to the shocking incidents of the burning of goods laden trucks along the National Highways during the ongoing blockades, General Secretary, All Manipur Road Transports Drivers and Motor Workers' Union, H Kullamani today alleged that almost all the incidents of burning goods laden truck along the NH 37 were carried out by armed miscreants.
Speaking at a press meet held at the Union's office at MG Avenue, Kullamani told reporters that more than 10 well armed miscreants carried out arson acts in Keimai, Sembilon and Barak areas in which the miscreants burned down goods laden trucks in the name of supporting the ongoing blockades.
Expressing serious concern on the matter, he appealed to the state government to arrange adequate security measures to prevent such unlawful acts which pose threats to the lives of the transporters who are ferrying in goods for the people of the states against all odds.
He also said that the destruction of a culvert at Leingangthabi area was not a handiwork of a single person since it would take more than 30 persons to carry out the destructive act.
Surprisingly, there are camps of Assam Rifles and BSF near the area where the culvert was destroyed.
Since the para military forces are on duty of guarding the highways only upto 4 pm, blockade supporters find it easy to do whatever they like along the highway during the night time as they have no fear of intervention from the security forces, he alleged.
Calling for immediate attention from the concern authorities, he expressed his desire for the security forces to guard the highways during the night time too as the blockade supporters are most active during this period on the highways.
He further alleged that Assam Rifles was responsible for the fateful incident which occurred at Kangpokpi bridge in which some ill fated trucks were burnt down completely.
AR asked the stranded goods truck to come along with them without proper security measure which resulted in the arson act.
Unless the state government arranges adequate security measures to prevent such acts in future, the transporters might come up with a decision to safeguard their valuable lives at the earliest, he added.
He also appealed to the drivers to stop only near security camps and posts and not to carry any extra inflammable substances like petroleum products with them to reduce the chances of getting burned by the blockade supporters.
He further appealed to the blockade supporters not to carry out any harmful activities against the drivers who are dedicating their valuable lives for the cause of the common people of the state.