IMPHAL, August 10: Police have clarified that the truck fully loaded with cement bags were not hijacked but the cement were sold out by the owner of the cement at Noney Bazar.
IFP had reported in today’s edition that the truck was hijacked by suspected NSCN (IM) cadres on the Jiribam highway near Awang Khul.
SP Tamenglong Themthing Ngasangba said, the 10 wheeler truck (CDO4-JC 5823) was not hijacked by NSCN cadres.
The owner of the cement is one Chongtham Mema, aged 55, w/o Ch Ibomcha of Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai, Imphal. The owner of the truck is Guwahati based Indrakumar, while Ningthoujam Jiten is also the joint owner of the truck. The driver is Longjam Nandan, s/o Late L Tomba of Uyumpok Maning Leikai.
According to SP Themthing, the 400 cement bags were sold at Noney Bazar at the rate of Rs 360 per bag.
Although the truck could not be located yesterday, it was found abandoned at Noney Bazar today. Four tyres were found punctured and the truck is now in the custody of the Noney PS.