Source: The Sangai Express / Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, September 25 2009:
Ukhrul District Light Vehicle Owner Association (UDLVOA) condemned torching of Jeep (Mahendra Marshal) by miscreants on September 19 at near Sand quarry of Lower Hundung.
In a press conference held in this connection at UDLVOA office yesterday, association president P Horam observed that though Autonomous District Council Teacher's Parents Guardian Association (ADCTPCA) bandh was in effect on the day, the same was called off at 10 am in Ukhrul countering the genuineness and status of the bandh by various social organizations of the district after a threadbare discussion under the chair of the Tangkhul Naga Long.
Even as the taxis resumed their service, the Jeep was returning after delivering a patient from Litan, the miscreants numbering about 10-15 with their face covered stopped the vehicle and snatched mobile phones from the driver and two other occupants.
The miscreants later set the vehicle on afire.
The vehicle belongs to former Deputy Superintendent of Police of Nagaland, John Muang of Ukhrul, however he was not in the town when the incident occurred.
The association while charging the ADCTPGA convener Khawungsing and secretary N Kashung for perpetrating such an act by mobilizing goons to carry out their whimsical agenda against the taxi owners run under the banner of UDLVOA.
Horam further said that such acts will not be tolerated under any circumstance and they would not remain silent until the justice is delivered.
Secretary of UDLVOA, Ng Shingnaisui said that UDLVOA has been delivering public service for the last 4 years where most of its members were educated unemployed, employing themselves in serving the public.
He further said that no such incident of targeting taxis had ever happened in the past despite many strikes and bandhs were called by various bodies from time to time.
UDLVOA has been extending its cooperation on any social issue and event and would continue in future as well, he added.
He further said that the incident was really unfortunate as the association has been tirelessly delivering services to the public of Ukhrul town as well as to all the far flung areas of the district.
Where there is no transportation facilities available, the association took risk with the slogan 'reach the unreached' and 'to the service of the people' with all sincerity to give a more human face.
While terming the Hundung incident a blow to their sincere service UDLVOA has given five days time to book the two ADCTPGA leaders.
It further warned the concerned authority that the association would take up its own course of action in case of the failure on the parts of the authority.