Imphal, April 19 2010: Windshields of around 30 loaded trucks heading Imphal from Mao gate with security escort have been damaged when blockade supporters stoned them on the way three separate places along the stretch of the NH-39 today.

Due to the imposition of intensified forms of blockade on the national highways passing in the state, the normal movement of goods ferrying trucks and inter-state passenger services have been greatly effecting since the last around one week.

The blockade is imposed by ANSAM demanding government review of holding elections under the existing third amendment of Manipur (Hills) Autonomous District Council Act, 2008 .

They have also imposed banned on the movement of inter-state passenger buses as intensified form of agitation.

Amidst the blockade, today, a total of 96 vehicles including, three inter-state buses, nine mini trucks and 84 loaded trucks have left Mao gate for Imphal with security escort leaving behind over 183 loaded trucks at Khuzuma of Nagaland.

More other trucks were also reportedly stranded beyond the Khuzuma gate of Nagaland.

Police said a team of personnel of 2nd Manipur Rifles led by Assistant Commandant, Muhendro is escorting the vehicles.

The 183 loaded trucks were left behind considering the problem to be faced in escorting large number of vehicles at a time, they said.

However, drivers of the stranded trucks at Khuzuma when contacted said that they turned the police order to proceed with the security escort as they are less confident with the few number of security convoy.

As many as 30 trucks among the escorted vehicles were damaged in the stoning as windshields of the vehicles were stoned at as many as three locations along the stretch from Mao gate to Senapati.

Blockade supporters stoned when the vehicles reached Mao Makha, Makhan Bridge and Lairouching, reports received here said adding that the attack at the vehicles at Makhan Bridge was performed by pushing down stones from the hill tops.

Around 40 loaded trucks were also reportedly stranded at Leingangching along the Imphal-Jiribam section of the NH-53 owing to the blockade, another reports said.

However, all the vehicles stranded at Thamnapokpi along the Imphal-Moreh section of the NH-39 coming from border town Moreh have been escorted back upto Imphal by a team of Chandel police, the police source said.

On the other hand, almost all the oil retail outlets in Imphal remaining close for the day for the third day even though officials of the government old depot said that enough stock of fuels (petrol and diesel) in the depot for utilization in the next 13 to 14 days.

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