Drivers demand action against cops
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 16 2025: The All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers' Association and All Manipur Bulk LPG Drivers' Association have jointly requested the authorities concerned to terminate the service of police personnel involved in the alleged physical assault of LPG tanker driver Khumukcham Herojit Singh around 11.30 am on June 15 within 48 hours.

Stating that the driver's fraternity has already launched an agitation by refraining from joining the movement of empty convoys from Imphal to ferry essential commodities, it added that services will resume only after their demand has been fulfilled.

According to a joint press release issued by Mukta Nongbri, general secretary, All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers' Association and Chanam Ibomcha, joint secretary, All Manipur Bulk LPG Drivers' Association, the alleged assault took place along the Imphal-Dimapur Road when Kh Herojit was driving home after unloading his tanker at Sekmai Bottling Plant.

According to the release, when he reached the road diversion near former Chief Minister N Biren Singh's residence at Luwangshangbam, a white bullet-proof Scorpio sped up southwards from the road diversion.

Herojit diverted from his lane and overtook the Scorpio.

As he drove further, the Scorpio overtook the LPG tanker and blocked the road.

When the tanker stopped completely, two allegedly drunk police personnel in "half-uniform" disembarked from the Scorpio and boarded the cabin of the tanker.

The press release went on to say that Herojit was first scolded and attacked with an iron lever which hit his right hand.

Then he was held at gunpoint with a service revolver.

He missed the first blow aimed at the left side of his head with the cartridge of the gun.

But the second blow hit him on the right side of his head.

After seeing blood oozing from his head, the two police personnel allegedly ran away.

The joint statement has informed that Herojit got three stitches on his head and is currently receiving treatment.

Stating that Herojit is an essential service worker who procures bulk LPG from different loading stations in Assam for Sekmai Bottling Plant, Manipur, the press release added that he is earning his livelihood by serving society as a driver.

It questioned if Herojit could not be fined or booked if he had violated any traffic rules or committed any crime instead of being attacked in such a harsh way.

Terming the incident as an act of cowardice, the joint press release demanded service termination of the police personnel involved in the incident within 48 hours.

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