Jeep hijacked, mobile phones snatched
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, April 20 2016:
In yet another disturbing report, suspected militants hijacked a Bolero pick-up jeep before assaulting women passengers who were transporting flowers to Imphal.
The victims were identified as Dikho Lophro of Kaibi village, Sani Kaisa of Kaibi village and Besii Chofoza of Shajouba village and the driver was identified as He-punii s/o Hriili of Kaibi village.
The hijacked vehicle was later recovered by police.
According to the victims, the incident happened at around 4.30 am on April 19.Some armed militants stopped the vehicle at Keithelmanbi and demanded Rs 10,000 .
When the women pleaded to exempt them from such monetary demand, the militants snatched away their mobile phones and threatened the driver to drive to a secluded spot.
After few minutes, the hijacked vehicle met with an accident and the suspected militants fled from the scene along with the mobile phones.
The victims managed to reach the highway and seek help.
Notably, a similar incident was reported in the past as well where some fruit and vegetable sellers from Mao were stopped near Keithelmanbi along the NH-2 and looted.
According to Ashipro Mao who is also a fruit\vegetable trader, policemen were seen manning the said stretch but the militants continue to roam freely along the highway during wee hours and loot innocent and hardworking people.
"Many of our vegetable sellers have stopped transporting their produces due to such ill-treatment along the NH-2," Ashipro lamented.
Meanwhile, the Mao Council, in a statement, has condemned the incident.
The statement said that such barbaric and unwanted incidents have been occurring on daily basis but the State Government agencies and security forces have miserably failed to prevent those armed miscreants and militants from looting the innocent people.