Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 12:
Even as BSF DIG ( Manipur and Nagaland), PK Mitra told the press today that 3 Coys (300 personnel) of the BSF personnel would be deployed from Kangpokpi to Mao in view of the indefinite economic blockade imposed on the highways, 164 vehicles are still stranded on the highway.
Dimapur police this morning found two Imphal bound trucks loaded with soft drink near 7 Mile on NH-39.Whereabouts of the drivers are not known.
The trucks (MN-04-7158 and MN-01-4615) are in the custody of a police station in Dimapur, a source in Dimapur said.
Till today seven vehicles are stranded at Visema in Nagaland, 150 at Zakhama and another seven vehicles at Phesarna in Nagaland.
Meanwhile, the two drivers who have been reported missing since the evening of Thursday are yet to be traced.
The two drivers were reportedly abducted by armed persons from Purana Bazar Dimapur while they were on their way towards Imphal after lifting rice from the FCI godown.
They are identified as L.Dharmendra of Keishamthong Longjam Leikai and Ch Ibungo alias Kunjeshore of Nongpok Keithelmanbi and presently staying at Bamon Leikai.
One of the trucks (MN-04-4188) was reportedly torched by the gunmen while the other was spared.
Most of the rice in the two trucks has been taken away.
Two representatives of the All Manipur Truck Owners Welfare Association and another two representatives of the Manipur Drivers� Welfare Association have reached Dimapur today to investigate the whereabouts of the two missing drivers.
According to the four representatives, the whereabouts of the two drivers are still not yet known till late in the evening today.
Nagaland police are on the alert to trace the two missing drivers, said reports.
Meanwhile, a meeting was held by the local residents of Keishamthong today to discuss the issue of kidnapping of the drivers.
Former Chief Minister RK Ranbir Singh was also present during the meeting.
The meeting appealed to the kidnapper to release the drivers without any harm and waned that it would agitate if they are not released.
Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) expressed unhappiness over reported damaged of trucks and assault and kidnapping of truck drivers on the national highway-39 by unknown persons.