Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 16 2010:
A passenger service Tata Magic was burnt down today by miscreants after hijacking.
Belongings of the driver like the mobile handset and money was also looted, official reports said.
Three unidentified youths hijacked the Lamlali to Imphal passenger service vehicle (MN01-1997) from the Lamlai Bazar parking lot at about 9.45 am and burned it at Moirangthem Lokchap near Kakching Khunou under Lamlai police station, Imphal east.
Thangjam Nabakumar son of late Binoy of Wangkhei Keithel Ashangbi had bought the vehicle from one Sanjenbam Shyamchand of Chingarel Tezpur recently and it was driven by one Hemam Pradip of Wangkhei Ayangpali.
The vehicles was servicing on the Imphal-Lamlai route under the Imphal-Lamlai Taxi Transport Co-operative Society Limited.
The three miscreants hijacked the vehicle from the Lamlai Bazar parking lot where the vehicle was parked on the pretext of transporting an ailing person to hospital.
They convinced the driver that the patient was in a serious condition and needed immediate hospitalization.
When he refused to go on the plea that he did not know the place, one of them took out a small gun and forced him to drive to the place where the vehicle was torched, the driver said.
Before torching the vehicle, they took away money and a mobile handset from his possession and blindfolded him.
His blindfold was removed after they set a fire the vehicle and asked him to leave the place before they shot at him.
They gave no reason for torching the vehicle.
The vehicle was totally burned, the driver added.
Decrying the burning of the vehicles, taxi services along the Imphal-Lamlai route were suspended with immediate effect.
To discuss further course of action against the setting blaze of the vehicle, the Imphal-Lamlai Taxi Transport Co-operative Society Limited has also convened a meeting.