Imphal, December 17 2010: NSCN (IM) Noney area today justified that the FCI rice loaded trucks were stopped only to check whether they carry illegal goods and not for harassing the drivers.

Addressing a press conference held at Noney (Longmai), spokesperson of NSCN (IM) Noney area, Apung Rongmei said that recalled the incident of December 14 and said that around 300 loaded trucks were proceeded toward Imphal with security.

Out of the trucks five trucks were stopped by the cadres of the outfit for checking.

All the trucks pasted as "On FCI Duty".

They were not stopped with the intention of harassing the truckers but to check carrying illegal goods based on specific information that some trucks in the name of ferrying FCI items used to carry other goods taking advantage protecting by security personnel, he alleged.

If they have the intention to loot the truck, it can be done at any time and any moment.

The cadres who conducted the checking too have enough arms and ammunitions to do so.

But they have not done it as they have no intention to do so, Apung clarified in the press conference in which representatives of Bazar Village Authority, public leaders and Naga Women Nisha Bandh leaders and social workers of the area also attended.

Even as the trucks were travelling with "On FCI Duty", instead of ferrying FCI items like rice, sugar or any others, they used to carry cement.

They loaded the cement beneath the rice or sugar.

The five trucks detained by their cadres, MN04A-0633, MN01-4685, MN02-3506, MN06-6957 and MN04A-0636, were hired by two contractors, H Subha and H Suton.

The goods seized from the trucks were kept at a public place so that the owners can come and claim it.

"We need no rice for the time being, we have plenty of rice," he said justifying that there was no intention of looting the rice on the part of the outfit.

The seized items, 231 rice bags and 60 cement bags, were returned back after a talk with a team comprising Tamenglng SP, Golmei, 26 AR CO Gaurav and OC Nungnba Police Station.

Revealing that FCI items are not distributed in Tamenglong and Noney area, he urged the FCI authority to ensure availability of FCI items to this district.

Majority of the families in the district are poor and they need such items.

The items can be distributed to this district without reaching Sangaiporou godown if authority concerned has the willingness, he said.

Secretary of Noney Bazar Board, Chamrei Kamei informed that while handing over the items, the officials presence were requested to check such activities of carrying cement by concealing amidst the FCI rice.

He also appealed to all section of the society not to spread wrong information.

They are trying their best not to happen any untoward incident in Noney area.

He further appealed to the drivers and truckers to enjoy the journey while traveling on the NH-53 and relax themselves when reach Noney.

There will have no untoward incidents in future.

Government should also developed Noney area as the area is best place for taking relax by the highway travelers.

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