Abducted truck driver escapes, recounts ordeal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 25 2022: Sagolsem Amuba, a diver by profession and a resident of Uchiwa Mamang Leikai, made a lucky escape from kidnappers while transpor-ting fertilizers along Imphal-Jiribam highway on August 22 last.

After losing touch with everybody since August 22, Amuba was rescued from Noney by a team of All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union today after Amuba called the union through phone and informed them about his location.

The 10-wheeler truck (MN 01-8842) he used in transporting fertilizers, however, is yet to be found.

Reportedly, the incident took place while the driver was heading towards Imphal after lifting fertilizers from Jiribam.

It is said that some armed miscreants who came in a Maruti car captured the truck a few metres ahead of Tupul at around 6.30 am .

Amuba, while recounting the incident, said that the three armed miscreants parked their vehicle in front of his truck at Kotlen about a kilometre away from the army check post.

Saying that he was then taken by the armed miscreants towards Awang Khul in their car, Amuba said that he was then blindfolded from Awang Khul.

Amuba said that he was then kept at a shed with his hands and legs tied by the abductors.

He further stated that the chains were removed during lunch and dinner time everyday.

"As per the miscreants, I was abducted as they have some issues to settle with the owner of the truck, '' he said and added that "the miscreants even threatened me if I tried to break the chain" .

Amuba said that he managed to escape from his abductors after three-four days by taking advantage of their absence at dawn and took shelter at a makeshift tent erected by a particular company.

Saying that the officials of the company came out in the morning, he added that he then called his family members by using the phone of one of the officials.

"I was dropped up to Noney by some employees of the company," he added.

Speaking to media persons at MG Avenue today, general secretary of the union Maimom Anil said that instances of highway robbery have resurfaced in Manipur while some trucks were looted at Tupul area this year.

Continuing that Nungba, Tupul, Nungjao and Charoipandongba are some of the locations along the highway stretch where maximum instances of highway robbery and abduction took place, he urged the State Government to deploy a good strength of security forces along Imphal-Jiribam highway to ensure safety of drivers.

The drivers might stop operating along the Imphal-Jiribam road if the Government doesn't address the issue at the earliest, he said.

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