Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 05, 2010:
Drivers and helpers and traders and vehicle occupants continue to be at the receiving end of armed miscreants with the latest information coming from Imphal-Ukhrul road.
Not only were the driver and the occupants severely thrashed, the mobile phone handsets of some travellers were seized after which the truck was set ablaze.
The incident took place at Nungshangkhong area of Ukhrul district on August 31 night and comes close on the heels of similar reports coming from NH-39 and NH-53 on the Imphal-Jiri route.
One of the victims disclosed to The Sangai Express that after off-loading bricks at the Kamjong High School construction site in a Tata truck (MN01/6748) the vehicle on its return to Imphal stopped at near Finch Corner to load firewood.
As the loaded truck began to move along with the firewood owner/trader namely Ngangmi Meiphou of Shangshak and four others, about 10 unidentified persons who came in two Bolero jeeps stopped the truck at about 8.30 pm.
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The victim contended that out of the 10 persons some of whom had their face covered, atleast four wielded small arms as well as automatic weapons.
Including Ngangmi, driver Shamu of Pallel, an assistant driver, and two masons were severely thrashed by the unidentified persons who questioned why the truck was plying when 'blockade' is in force.
It is also informed that apart from taking away four mobile phones, the truck was forced to turn back towards Ukhrul at gun-point and along the route one rice-laden Tata DI and another truck were stopped and the occupants thrashed.
Among the victims of the latter incident, included a pastor whose mobile phone as well as of the other occupants were taken away.
After the vehicles were brought upto Nungshangkhong the armed persons poured petrol and on fire the fire-loaded truck with the raising flames illuminating the spot.
As the attackers hurried away from the scene, occupants of the three vehicles managed to douse the blaze thereby preventing complete devastation.
troops of 23 Assam Rifles based at Shangshak who reached the incident spot not only got involved in putting off fire but stood guard the whole night and at daybreak brought a crane to tow away the damaged truck.
The truck owner namely Ningthoujam Sanathoi of naoremthong and ngangmi Meiphou have conveyed gratitude to all ranks of 23 Assam Rifles.