ANSAM bandh supporters strike MR truck torched on NH-37
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 23 2011: A mini truck belonging to Manipur Rifles was pushed down a river bank and set ablaze by a mob, suspected to be supporters of ANSAM sponsored total bandh at Lukhumbi village in Tamenglong district along Imphal-Jiribam highway.

According to a source, a mini truck painted with the words 7 MR DGP Pool hit a stationary Maruti car at Lukhumbi Part II along the highway at about 10 am today.

The incident flared up and a large mob set afire the MR truck.

It is reported that the car was being readied to take a sick person to a hospital when it was hit by the truck.

The mini truck was halted by a large group of people and then a heated altercation ensued between the two sides.

With the arrival of Tamenglong SP at the scene, a negotiation meeting was held at the house of Lukhumbi Part II Thoubei.

The villagers demanded that the security team should pay compensation in addition to repairing the damaged car.

As the negotiation was going on, a mob pushed the truck down the Ijei river and set it afire.

After the truck was set afire, the negotiation ended abruptly.

The mini truck was going on ROP duty from Awangkhul to Noney.

The Tamenglong SP appealed to the people not to put hurdles against movement of vehicles on the highway.

But the people rejected the appeal outrightly.

Following intimation from the higher authority to bring in loaded vehicles after total bandh ends in the morning of October 25, security escorts have made necessary arrangements.

Otherwise, loaded vehicles would have left Jiribam for Imphal today.

On the other hand, the bandh supporters decided that all vehicles including security vehicles would not be given passage during the bandh.

They also decided that the bandh would be relaxed only for vehicles on medical and emergency services.

Notably, endorsing the UNC's demand for alternative arrangement, ANSAM called total bandh in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur with effect from October 21 midnight till the midnight of October 24 .

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