Locals protest torching of private vehicle
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 04, 2011:
Protesting against the incident of setting on fire a mini Van (Tata Magic) on passenger service at Kamuching after it had been hijacked from Sanjenbam, residents of Sanjenbam under Imphal East district today blocked Tinsid Road and staged a Wakat Meepham.
The road block was carried out since early morning along with putting up timbers and bamboo poles across the road at Sanjenbam.
Side by side, a Wakat Meepham was also staged.
It may be recalled here that the Tata Magic bearing registration number MN-01W/0626 was found set aflame at Khemaching near Kamuching Khunou at around 3.45 pm yesterday.
According to a spokesperson of Sanjenbam Transport Co-operative Society Limited, they came to know about the incident of setting on fire the Tata Magic after one Chingkheinganba who is said to be working under one Malemnganba of PREPAK conveyed through telephone.
The spokesperson clarified that they have not received any demand but there was an instance in which the said UG group threatened them over the phone if they do not contact the group.
Only after the Tata Magic was set on fire, the UG group demanded that a total of Rs 21,000 at the rate of Rs 3000 from each of the seven vehicles on passenger services should be given, the spokesperson disclosed.
It is said that of the two armed persons who have hijacked the Tata Magic, one who later on set it on fire, have boarded the Tata Magic from Imphal to Sanjenbam while the other followed in a Honda Activa.
At first, both of them tried to take away another Van.
But at last, they hijacked the ill-fated Tata Magic from its driver at gun-point.
The transporters' society has informed that the UG group has not only asked them to stop the service if they could not pay the demanded amount of Rs 21,000 but threatened to kill the drivers if they defied the diktat.
In all seven Tata Magic vehicles are in the service of ferrying passengers along Tinsid Road from Sanjenbam to Imphal.
If those plying from Takhel is to be included then the total number of Tata Magics plying along the said road is 18. Tata Magic drivers of Takhel have also been reportedly intimidated by the same UG group.