Hijacked van, excavator torched
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 13 2011: A Tata Winger van was set afire beyond redemption by some unidentified persons at Taobungkhok Makha Leikai under Patsoi police station in Imphal West district at about 7.15 am today.

According to the driver of the torched van Thoiba, the van (MN-06L/4551) was plied along the Imphal-Dimapur route.

"This morning I went to Nambol to pick up some passengers.

One unidentified person boarded the vehicle and asked me to drive to Changangei", Thoiba said.

He said that he went to Nambol at the instruction given at the ticket counter at North AOC.

"But no passenger could be found there.

As I rang up the counter, they told to wait for the passengers at Nambol Keithel", the driver said.

One unidentified person came there and said that the passengers were waiting at Changangei .

"As the vehicle passed Changangei, the unidentified person snatched my mobile phone and threatened me to leave the place at once if I didn't want to die", Thoiba narrated.

The remains of the Tata Winger

As Thoiba started walking away from the place, the unidentified person pulled out a bottle of petrol from his bag and pour it over the vehicle.

In the next, he hurried away from the scene after setting the vehicle ablaze.

The Winger van belonged to one Khundrakpam Loken of Utlou Maning Leikai.

Along with registration of a case, police have retrieved the vandalised van.

In another act of arson, one excavator was set afire by some unidentified persons at Andro Khunou in Imphal East district at about 1 am today.

According to information culled from the spot, the excavator was used in cleansing drains around Andro Khunou.

As the right tyre got punctured, the excavator was being parked at the gate of one Phanjoubam Tiken (32) at Kashiram Leirak, Andro Khunou Ward No 10.The excavator belongs to one Sanabam Shyam of Yairipok Yambem.

Campaign on IMPHAL, Jun 13: A day-long campaign on the theme of 'Educating women in educating the society' was held under the joint aegis of Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) and Social Welfare Dept, Govt of Manipur at Uttra Shanglen Ipudhou Pakhangba, Sana-konung here today.

Titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba lit the ceremonial lamp to inaugurated the campaign in the presence of Deputy Director of Social Welfare Th Joychandra and president of MNP+ L Deven.

Speaking at the occasion, Leishemba Sanajaoba pointed out that many young widows and children who have been affected/infected by HIV/AIDS from their drug abuser husbands/fathers, are living in the society today under most trying condition.

To ameliorate their suffering, the Depts concerned of the Govt should pay special attention.

They should also be given proper education and empowerment, he added.

Deputy Director of Social Welfare Th Joychandra observed that the Dept has been implementing various schemes for the welfare of widows and steps have been taken up to cover HIV/AIDS infected/affected widows under such schemes.