Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, August 17:
Altogether 150 Imphal-bound vehicles which have been stranded at Zakhama and nearby areas in Nagaland since August 11 morning because of the indefinite economic blockade called by the Senapati-based Naga Youth Front, NYF, reached Imphal late this evening under tight security.
A number of vehicles sustained light damage, most having their windshields smashed, due to stoning in the Senapati area this evening at around 7 pm, but otherwise reached Imphal intact.
The NYF called the indefinite economic blockade from; August 11 as part of continuing protests against the Centre's decision to review the June 14 Bangkok agreement extending the ceasefire with the NSCN(IM) without territorial limits.
Three companies of the BSF and a company of the Manipur Rifles were detailed for the task of escorting the stranded vehicles upto Imphal.
Sources said the convoy left Zakhama at around 1 pm and crossed the Mao gate at around 5:30 pm.
The 150 vehicles included 137 goods carriers, 11 LPG carriers, and two inter-state passenger canters.
There were no oil tankers in the convoy.
In the meantime, it is learnt that the number of Imphal bound vehicles still stranded on the Assam-Nagaland border, particularly in the vicinity of Bokajan and Katkhati townships have swelled up to around 400, as of this evening.
Representatives of the Manipur Truck Owners Welfare Association along with the president of the Dimapur Meitei Union, K Yaima; met the superintendent of police, Dimapur, Zeliang.
Reports said the Dimapur SP has pledged to ensure adequate security for the Manipur-bound vehicles upto Mao, despite jurisdictional constraints.
The meeting was also attended by the additional SP, Dimapur, and the SDPO, Dimapur.
Another report said that while the stranded drivers were willing to take up the SP on his assurance for security, they wanted Army or paramilitary escorts for the Mao to Imphal sector of the, journey rather than Manipur Rifles escorts, apparently because on earlier occasions, when they proceeded with MR or IRB escorts, they were often stoned and their vehicles damaged.
The DMU president, K Yaima, who visited Khatkati today, told IFP over the telephone that the stranded drivers, many of whom had been waiting for nearly a week, were in an extremely pitiable condition, as they were running out of food as well as money.