IMPHAL, Feb 3: Valuable items belonging to some members of the victorious state Nihon Shotkan Karate-Do team was stolen while they were knocked out following an accident of the vehicle they were traveling in at NH-39. The driver has made himself the main suspect after he was found absconding without informing anybody.
The Manipur Amateur Karate-do Association has served a notice that an FIR will be registered with the police for theft and drunken driving if he does not turn up with an explanation elucidating his behaviors. The association has identified the driver as Md Yahiya Khan, son of late Md. Abdul of Thoubal Moijing Litan Makhong.
According to an official of the Manipur Amateur Karate-do Association, the team was returning in two Tata Magic vehicles after claiming the overall team title at the NSKF national karat-do championship and training camp at Ishapore, Kolkatta. Between Senapati and Kangpokpi, one of the vehicles bearing registration number MN-04A-6982 fell down the hill slope but got stuck among the bushes saving the occupants from receiving critical injuries. Nevertheless, seven of the karatekas was admitted to JNIMS at Porompat with less significant injuries.
The official surmised that the driver took control of the wheel in an intoxicated state and the athletes would most probably have died due to his negligence but for the providential intervention of the bushes. Also, he has not made any contact with the association since abandoning his vehicle at the accident spot and running away thus weakening his case.