Torched buses disappear from Saparmeina
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 01 2023:
Stating that the two buses torched by a mob of Kuki people near Saparmeina police station in Kangpokpi district on July 25 have disappeared without any trace, the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union has urged the Government to take up befitting action against the Superintendent of Police, Kangpokpi and the Officer in-Charge of Saparmeina police station for gross dereliction of duty which led to disappearance of the torched buses.
Speaking to media persons today, the union's general secretary Maimom Anil said that the two buses joined a convoy of RAF who came from Dimapur at Kangpokpi and the two buses were transporting security forces on July 25 .
The mob singled out the two buses and set them afire near Saparmeina police station in the afternoon of the same day, Anil said.
The two buses bore registration numbers MN04P-1476 and MN05C-0086 .
On being enquired, if the two buses or whatever that remained after they were torched could be towed till Sekmai, the OC of Saparmeina police station replied that the two buses have been sold as scraps and it was known to the Kangpokpi SP too.
Pointing out that a case has been already registered in connection with the torching of the two buses, Maimom Anil questioned how police could remain silent when the two buses were sold as scraps.
He also demanded a detailed explanation from the OC of Saparmeina police station on how the two buses were sold as scraps.
The Security Advisor to the Government of Manipur and the DGP must investigate the failure of the security forces to prevent the particular crime and initiate befitting action against the Kangpokpi SP, OC of Saparmeina police station and all the people involved in the crime, the driver union's general secretary demanded.
The Government and the security forces are unable to protect NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur highway).
Trucks plying on the highway are being extorted Rs 7000 to Rs 10,000 each at Kuki dominated areas, he said.
He then appealed to the authorities concerned to deploy adequate security forces including ROPs so as to ensure that transporters/drivers can move on the highway freely.