LPG trucks torched ; 19 arrested ; NH-2 blocked
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 15 2023: Protesters set on fire three empty LPG carrier trucks in Sek mai Mayai Leikai area on Saturday around 8 am while at least 19 persons have been arrested in connection with the incident in a joint operation carried out by central security forces, Imphal West district commandos and Sekmai police.

Sources said that the trucks, which belong to Misao Gas Agency, were escorted by CRPF and Sekmai police when they left the LPG bottling plant at Sekmai Nongthonband on Saturday morning.

However, protestors stopped the trucks and burned them despite attempts by the security team to disperse the crowd.

Fire tenders put out the fire but substantial damages have been caused to the trucks.

On the other hand, police source said that a case has been registered at Sekmai PS.

Consequently, an operation was launched by a joint team of central security forces, Imphal West commandos and Sekmai police in the afternoon that led to the arrest of 19 persons suspected to be involved in the act of arson.

The trucks, stranded at Indian Oil Corporation's gas plant in Sekmai since May 3, were being moved out to Kangpokpi district after the owner of the gas agency received approval from the police.

Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) spokesman Ginza Vualzong alleged that Meitei womenfolk (Meira Paibis) were behind the incident.

"Despite claims of N Biren Singh-led government that the state is returning to normalcy, there is no peace on the ground.

The majority community is still continuing with its ethnic cleansing programme targeting the Ku-ki-Zo tribals.

This is why there needs to be total separation of the communities for peace to return to Manipur," Vualzong said.

Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi also urged authority concerned to deliver justice by booking culprits involved in torching three trucks belonging to M/S Misao Gas Service before things get out of hand.

Situation in Kangpokpi district remains tense after torching of tree trucks as enraged mobs decided to block the national highway again.

Strongly condemning torching of the three trucks, CoTU information and publicity secretary Thangtinlen Haokip said it has been trying hard to convince the public for smooth and free passage of trucks ferrying essential commodities along the National Highway-2 following Goodwill Gesture Mission of UPF and KNO in opening the highway.

He said that the incident was 'barbaric continuous attempt' to escalate the already volatile situation.

He also wondered as to how the unruly mobs led by women could torch the trucks with security escorts.

According to Thangtinlen Ha-okip, one out of the three trucks (MN06T-2239, MN01AA 3900 and MN01-8128) has been completely damaged while the other two were partially burnt.

He then urged authority concerned to book the culprits and bring justice before things go out of hand.

Meanwhile, a complaint had also been lodged by the gas agency at Gamnom Saparmeina police station in connection with torching of the three trucks.

Following the torching of the three trucks, the situation along the highway in Kangpokpi turned tense as enraged mobs decided to block the highway back.

However, there is no official declaration of the highway blockade.

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