2 loaded FCI trucks torched ahead of UNC bandh hour
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 27 2012: One hour prior to commencement of the72-hours general strike called by United Naga Council (UNC) in all Naga areas of the State, two rice laden FCI trucks were burnt down at Thangal village Lamkhai in Senapati district last night at around 11:10 .

Meanwhile, a team of media persons who were on their way to Senapati to cover the bandh were blocked by suspected cadres of NSCN-IM near Senapati Toll Tax area and were asked to leave the place immediately or face serious consequences.

The 72 hour bandh called by UNC commenced since yesterday midnight.

The registration number of the two loaded FCI trucks which have been burnt down by suspected bandh supporters are JH 02L/ 9395 belonging to one Md Riyajuddin of Lilong Makha Leikai and WB 59A/4413 belonging to one Md Rikwan of Lilong Makha Leikai.

2 loaded FCI trucks torched ahead of UNC bandh hour

The driver of the ill-fated truck (JH 02L/ 9395) has also been identified as one Md Sahid Ali (30) of Sangaiyumpham and the driver of the second truck is one Md Wajid Ali (27) also from Sangaiyumpham.

Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao, the drivers informed that the two trucks were heading for Imphal after loading 310 bags of rice each.

It was around 10pm yesterday when they reached Mao gate.

Confident that they would be able to reach Senapati Police Station before the bandh starts, they left Mao gate and proceeded further.

When they reached Thangal village Lamkhai, they were stopped by five unidentified persons coming in a Maruti 800.However, the trucks did not halt and sped up from there.

But the persons in the Maruti 800 overtook the trucks and stopped in front of the trucks.

They further informed that they were then pulled down from the trucks and beat them up mercilessly and later burnt down the trucks.

Soon after, the Senapati police and the fire tenders arrived at the spot and doused the fire.

Speaking to media persons at his office chamber in connection with the incident, L Kailun, Inspector General of Police, Law and Order-I informed that the trucks were transporting FCI rice under one agent named Woba Joran, who is son of Trinamool Congress candidate from Mao Assembly Constituency in the last assembly election, when they were torched by the bandh supporters.

When further inquired about the incident, Kailun said that the trucks crossed Mao gate at around 10pm on December 26.So, it is not known why the two trucks took three hours to reach Vakha which is only 3 (three) Km from Mao gate and they did not accompanied with the security convey of oil tankers and other trucks escorted from Dimapur.

If they drove straight away from Mao gate along with the security convoy, the two trucks might have been able to reach Kangpokpi area well in time, which is safer place than Senapati, and the unfortunate incident might not have averted, the SP contended.

Senapati police has detained the drivers and helpers of the two trucks for questioning.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered with Senapati Police Station in connection with the incident.

On the other hand, the bandh call given by UNC affected normal life in the hill districts of the state.

At Chandel bazaar, bandh supporters burned CD cassettes of Manipuri digital films and songs.

They also blocked roads burning tyres and piling up of boulders.

In the four hill districts, Government establishments, educational institutions both private and Government were closed due to the strike.

Business activities were also paralyzed.

Inter-state passenger bus service and movement of other vehicles on the two National Highways leading to the state were stopped due to the strike.

However, in the valley districts, the 18-hour Manipur bandh jointly imposed by FFM, MSSLC and social organizations in protest against the Chandel incident wherein film artiste Kh Momocoo was allegedly molested and assaulted by Livingstone, a self-styled Lt Col of NSCN-IM at a musical event, evoked a near total response but it ended without any untoward incident.