Armed miscreants seize 7 cars
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 02 2012: Two second-hand vehicle dealers claimed to have lost seven cars in between Dimapur and Kohima of Nagaland State when they were being brought to Manipur for re-sale.

Speaking to newspersons at Manipur press club today, second-hand car dealers Sukham Sibananda (23) s/o Phunil of Singjamei Chingamakha Oinam Leirak and Khagembam Open (28) s/o Tombi of Heinou Khongnembi Konjeng Leikai contended that the two A Star, three Alto and two Maruti 800 cars were purchased from different places of West Bengal.

Upon reaching Purana Bazar in Dimapur on May 15, unknown persons claiming to be NSCN (IM) activists demanded Rs 1.75 lakhs failing which three of the cars would be seized, the duo informed adding that agreement was reached to settle the amount at Rs 35,000 .

At Lalmati area near Kohima, unknown persons who came in a black colour Alto car stopped the seven vehicles and insisted on checking the vehicle documents which was duly complied, they said.

Even after producing the vehicle papers, the unknown persons asked for the keys and took the vehicles to undisclosed locations before stopping at a place at dusk which they said was a hotel, recounted the two.

As the said place, the unknown persons said was a hotel, actually turned out to a power house/station, Sibananda and Open along with the drivers they had hired boarded a bus and reached Senapati, where they reportedly stayed at the house of a prospective buyer.

Even though one of the seized cars was spotted at Senapati town the occupants refused to hand over the same resulting in a heated argument leading to the intervention of an individual who identified himself as Senapati Town Commander of NSCN (IM) .

The said vehicle was quickly driven away, alleged the traders who also contended that they have information about the seven cars being kept at Hebron camp of the armed group.

Terming the act of seizing vehicles as unwarranted and depriving unemployed youths of Manipur earn their livelihood, both appealed to all concerned to release the vehicles at the earliest.

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