Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 12:
Suspected economic blockade supporters intercepted four Imphal bound passenger buses at Jiribam and pulled down goods belonging to the passengers and the vehicles at Oinam long village on NH-53 today.
The bandh supporters numbered around 150.Oinam Long village is situated about 60 Kms from Jiribam on the Jiri-Imphal route.
The buses which left Jiribam for Imphal today bore registration numbers, MN-01-1253 (Nagaland Travels) , MN-05 B 1898 (Kangleipak Travels), MN-01-0825 ( Zam Zam Travels) and MN01-11105 (Kangla Travels).
Recalling the horrid experience passengers of the ill fated vehicles said around 150 bandh supporters including women came to the highway and stopped the buses at Oinam Long village at about 9 am.
The bandh supporters came out from 4/5 houses where they were waiting to enforce the blockade.
The bandh supporters then pulled down all the belongings of the travelers from the buses, they said.
Narrating the incident, the passengers said even pleads that their goods are meant for family members and not for trade or business fell on deaf ears.
The goods pulled down from the vehicles include bananas, arum (pan), betel leaf, sugar, plates, rice, milk powder and ready made clothes.
The goods are worth over Rs 2 lakhs.
The bandh supporters told the passengers that the seized goods will be returned after the economic blockade is lifted.
Seven sackful of chilies belonging to a Kabui woman from Tousem and presently staying at Paona Bazar were also seized by the bandh supporters at Awang Khul.
The women said the people who seized her chilies are all members of the Naga Youth Front.
Bus drivers said that five trucks carrying salt from Jiribam are stranded at 24 Miles also known as Nungkao.
Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen looted a Tata Sumo at Leingangthabi on the Imphal-Moreh route today at about 12 pm.