Driver, helper abducted, women gheraos godown
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 21 2014:
In protest against the reported abduction of a driver and his helper who were transporting rice for FCI, a group of womenfolk staged a protest demonstration in front of Sangaiprou FCI godown this afternoon.
The womenfolk coming from Luwangsangbam demanded suspension of all unloading activities until the whereabouts of the abducted driver and the helper are confirmed.
Truck driver Gautam Gopal (28) s/o Ram Kumar of Kanglatongbi and his helper Namwang Newme (23) s/o Erangteung Newme of Teguaram village, Tamenglong district were abducted by unidentified militants from 7th Mile Zebra Parking, Kohima at around 2 am of August 13 when they were transporting rice from Dimapur FCI godown to Imphal.
It is suspected that the driver and his helper were abducted in connection with monetary demands served to FCI transport contractors.
One of the protesters said that their agitation is aimed at drawing attention of the Government and also to prick conscience of arrogant contractors.
"We don't have any intention to create disturbances to the normal functions of FCI", she said.
"We share the plight of drivers.
But we have no intention to cut off food supply to the people of Manipur by preventing unloading of rice.
What we have been demanding is establishment of the whereabouts of th driver and his helper", she added.
After coming back from Sangaiprou, the womenfolk held a meeting with transporters.
The meeting resolved to suspend transportation of both FCI and FCS rice along Imphal-Dimapur highway as well as Imphal-Jiribam highway.
In the meantime, drivers would abstain from taking steering wheels, in accordance to another resolution of the meeting.