Imphal, June 08 2010: An oil tanker ferrying petroleum product from Assam to Nagaland was set on fire by suspected supporters of 36-hour bandh on NH-39 (Numaligarh to Dimapur) and NH-36 (Nagaon to Dimapur) to register strong against the ban of Manipur vehicles in Nagaland today morning.

A report received from Guwahati said that the oil tanker was burnt down by the suspects in the wee hour of today, at about 1.30 am at a place at Chokladinga under Jorhat district of Assam bordering with Nagaland.

The oil tanker fully loaded with petroleum product was heading to Makokchung district of Nagaland.

Some miscreants who forced to stop the vehicle set on fire with petrol bomb after allowing the driver and handymen to step down from the vehicle, the report said.

Efforts of the fire fighters team who arrived instantly was in vain as the oil tank blasted as soon as they reached the area.

A team of Assam police rushed to the spot and investigated into the incident, the report added.

After the arson incident, windshields of many goods ferry trucks heading Dimapur from Guwahati and other places on the NH-39 and were also damaged in the stoning by suspected bandh supporters at Amarchan area on the NH-39 in Assam before reaching Dimapur this evening, at about 4.30 pm.

A truck was fall down into the deep gorge while in the heavy attacks, the report said.

Many vehicles originating from Nagaland were also attacked with stones by the bandh supporters.

Mention may be made that in the recent time a truck carrying motorcycles was also set on fire by counter blockade supporters in Karbi Anglong district.

A Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed by 12 (twelve) civil organizations formed under All Assam Manipuri Students organization at Manja Town, Karbi-Anglong District behind the imposition of road blockade called for 36 (thirty six) hours on NH-39 (Numaligarh to Dimapur) and NH-36 (Nagaon to Dimapur) with effect from 5 am of today.

Meanwhile, private truck associations in Assam have expressed reservations in running their vehicles on National Highway 39 leading through Nagaland to Manipur, crippled by a blockade by Naga students, an agency report said.

"Although we sincerely want to carry essentials to the Manipur, safety concerns for out staff on trucks prevent us from plying vehicles through Nagaland," the agency quoted as saying by a spokesman of the association.

"The association has decided to refrain from plying vehicles on National Highway 39 due to the blockade by the Naga Students Federation (NSF) due to safety concerns," he said.

Meanwhile, the influential All Assam Students Union (AASU) today appealed to NSF to lift the blockade on 'humanitarian grounds' in the interest of the common people.

"We have appealed to NSF which is a part of the North East Students Organisation (NESO) to lift the blockade," AASU advisor and NESO chairman Samujjal Bhattacharya said.

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