Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 14 2010:
Even as the Union Home Minister is staying in Imphal, suspected armed cadres of NSCN(IM) under a ceasefire agreement with the Centre has hijacked 375 bags of FCI rice from three trucks at Noney along NH-53 in Tamenglong district today.
Reports received by Hueiyen Lanpao said that armed cadres suspected to be of the NSCN(IM) pulled down the rice bags after stopping them on the way near a bridge at Noney.
The rice bags were dragged down this evening from 7.30 pm to 8 pm just after the security escort ahead of them had crossed the area.
The trucks were carrying 125 bags of rice each.
The ill-fated trucks were among 316 goods trucks that left Jiribam yesterday for Imphal with escort provided by personnel of the 7th Manipur Rifles led by an assistant commandant.
Out of the 316 trucks, 206 were loaded with rice for FCI (Food Corporation of India), there was one oil tanker and the other trucks were loaded with various essential commodities.
Out of the 316 trucks only 266 trucks have crossed Keithelmanbi police check post while the rest are still en route.
Even though a driver of one of the three trucks reported the matter to the nearest Assam Rifles post, they refused to help preventing the act of the armed cadres.
The report however, could not be immediately confirmed from the higher authorities.