Truck set on fire; driver released
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 23 2013: Suspected bandh supporters burnt down an Imphal-bound goods laden truck coming from Guwahati at Khongnem area of Senapati district at around 9.30 am today.

According to information received by Hueiyen Lanpao, suspected bandh supporters stopped the truck at Khongnem area and burnt it down after letting the driver and the helper to get down.

The registration number of the ill-fated truck was NL-017228 and it was carrying lubricants, mobil cans and furniture.

The driver has been identified as Baton Das (45) of Dimapur Basti, Nagaland and the owner of the truck is said to be one Mukhesh of Thangal Bazar.

It may be noted here that All Zeliangrong Students Union (AZSU), Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) and Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM) have jointly called a total bandh along the national highways since midnight of April 21demanding release of school going girl Alice Kamei from the custody of Revolutionary Peoples Front (RPF) .

Meanwhile, oil tanker driver Shougrakpam Surjit Singh (42) of Sangakpham bazaar, who was reportedly abducted by unidentified gunmen from Nagaland's Kohima district near New Reserve Line around 4:30 am Sunday, has been released safely at a place in Kohima around 3.30 pm today.

Although it was widely speculated that the abduction may be related to monetary demand of a Naga UG group, whether the amount had been given for securing the safe release of the driver could not be confirmed.

In protest against the abduction All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers' Union (AMPTDU) had launched an indefinite strike from Monday.

With release of the abducted driver, it is said that the agitating Union is mostly likely to withdraw its stir from tomorrow.

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