Two injured as gunmen target fuel trucks
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal/Jiribam, April 16 2024:
At least two drivers were left injured and five vehicles engaged in transportation of petroleum products, including an LPG bullet tanker, were damaged in an armed attack carried out by suspected Kuki militants Tollen Kuki village of Kaimai area along National Highway 3 (Imphal-Jiribam road) on Tuesday around 10.30 am.
One of the two injured drivers has been identified as Tularam Maggar alias Mohan of Irang Part-2, who was driving an IOCL petroleum tanker (MN05C-1383) .
He suffered gunshot wound on his right leg, which severely damaged his heel.
The other driver, Khomdram Ramesh of Leimakhong Kanto Sabal, who was driving an LPG bullet tanker (MN06T-1144), got hit near his eyes and ears.
Apart from both vehicles, three other trucks carrying Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) and petroleum products (AS01NC-7615 (ATF), MN03-3214 (IOCL), MN06D-0978 (IOCL) were also partially damaged.
The armed men, who are yet to be identified, fired from hilltops targeting the fuel tankers on the highway.
As the bullets hit the tankers, oil was seen spilling on the road.
A team of Noney district police as well as central forces deployed in the nearby areas rushed to the spot and evacuated the injured drivers to CRPF field hospital at Shanti Khunou.
Later, Noney police shifted Tularam Magar to CHC Nungba, from where he was airlifted from Khongsang helipad to Imphal for further treatment as his condition worsened.
Joint team consisting of central forces.
Noney and Tamenglong district police carried out search operation in the nearby areas till late evening to trade the perpetrators.
However, there is no report of any arrest made till the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, interacting with the media after a meeting between chief minister N Biren and members of transporters' associations at the CM's secretariat here in Imphal, All Manipur Petroleum Product Transporters' Association president A Tamphayai said that fuel retail outlets will remain open regardless of the incident.
Allaying the public apprehension of fuel scarcity, he said that there is adequate stock at Malom oil depot and appealed to the public to refrain from panic buying.
While highlighting hostile environment under which the drivers work on a daily basis, he appealed to all concerned to prevent such attacks, demanded that the government arrest the perpetrators at the earliest and to make adequate security arrangement for the transporters along the highway.
All Manipur Petrol Pump Dealers' Association also strongly condemned the attack and demanded adequate security arrangement to prevent such incidents in future.
On the other hand, truck drivers, while interacting with the media, strongly condemned the armed attack on transporters and cautioned of launching steering off agitation if the government does not arrest the perpetrators and award befitting punishment.
The drivers are serving the society in hostile and dangerous environment but it is unfortunate that the government does not care about their safety, they said.
They also decried the stark difference between the security arrangement for Amit Shah's visit and those of the transporters.
There were only five to six security vehicles along the 200 km long highway and without any ROP, the drivers rued.