Imphal, Aug 30: In two seperate incident of attacks on light passenger vehicles, one Tata Magic driver and a van driver were shot at their legs by unidentified gunmen.
While the incident of shooting at Tata magic driver was occured at Paobitek area this morning the second incident of injuring a van driver and a passenger by gunmen occured late this evening at Lilong in Thoubal district.
In the first incident, driver of a Tata Magic was shot and injured at his legs by two gunmen in connection with the monetary demand this morning around 8.30 am at Paobitek Tata Magic Parking under Wangoi police station.
The Tata Magic driver identified as Pukhrambam Subhaschandra, 28, son of P Netra of Wangoi Pukhram Mamang Leikai sustained bullet injuries at both his legs after he was shot at by the two unidentified gunmen suspected to UGs. He was later evacuated to RIMS hospital.
According to Subhaschandra, the incident occured while he was waiting for passengers at a local parking at Paobitek this morning around 8.30am whereby two unidentified person came to him and quired whether he know a driver named Subhaschandra.
When Subhaschandra told them that the person they were looking for is him, the duo gunmen asked if he had given money to the local transport association. When the gunmen were told that the money was yet to be given as vehicles route permit is yet to be completed, immediately one amongst the duo pulled out a handgun and shot two rounds at my legs, Subhaschandra revealed.
The two unidentified gunmen then hurriedly left the spot and I was later evacuated to the RIMS hospital this morning itself, he revealed.
The injured victim further mentioned that one group of UG organisation had served monetary demands to the taxi services plying between Paobitek and Imphal under the Kamkhya Diesel Auto Association before one month back, and he was supposed to give his share of Rs, 13,000 but the amount was not paid after he failed to recieved his permit from the association till today.
The second incident of shooting was occured at Lilong Ushoipokpi area this evening around 7.30pm.
Sources revealed that some unidentified gunmen shot and injure driver of a Maruti van carrying out passenger service along Imphal-Moreh route.
In the incident one woman passenger of the van also sustained bullet injury.
The injured persons are identified as Adbul Gafar, aged 31 years, son of Abdul Qadir of Sora Maning Leikai and the lady passenger Chongboi Hangshing, wife of Boilen of Saikul presently residing at New Checkon, Imphal.
Gafar was shot at his leg while Chongboi sustained minor bullet injuries. Both of them were admitted to the casualty department of RIMS for treatment. The condition of Gafar was reported to be out of danger while Chongboi got discharged after receiving first-aid.
According to sources, the incident happened when a Maruti van bearing registration no. MN-04A 3998 driven by Gafar along with two woman passengers from Moreh were coming towards Imphal was stopped by some gunmen at Ushoipokpi area.
The gunmen instantly shot at Gafar in his leg and the woman passenger Chongboi sustained minor bullet injuries in the gunfire. The motive behind the assault however could not be immediately ascertained, added the source.