IMPHAL, March 12: Truckers protested along the national highway number 37 on the Imphal-Jiribam road after a driver and a handyman of a truck were beaten up by the ASI posted at Patsoi police station under Imphal West district. Following the protest, more than 600 empty trucks were left standard along the road today morning at around 10.30 am
The incident unfolded today morning at around 10.30 am at Keithelmanbi area at the 9 Assam rifle road crossing when a truck driver and a handyman were beaten up by the ASI police personal in the backdrop of about 600 trucks lining up from Khumbong up to Kethelmanbi were waiting for their security escort for going to the Jiribam sub division.
Speaking to the media, truck driver Naoba Mutum who was alleged beaten up by the ASI police personal said that as all the truck were waiting for the security escort for going toward Jiribam. “At that time, I saw some trucks going forward to get in the first line of the queue. When I tried to take my truck forward, I was signaled to stop and take my vehicle back to its earlier position,” he said. Recounting his ordeal, Naoba said that while he was taking back his vehicle, the ASI came up on his vehicle and started to punch him on his face, forcibly taking away his truck keys and asking him to come down from the truck.
He further said that after he got down from the truck, he apologized to the ASI police, identified as S Ahmuba posted at Patsoi police station. By the ASI did not listen to him and asked him to stand in front of a DI Tata which was stationed there and started to beat him with a stick all over his body, he said.
After beating him up the police personal also beat up one handyman who was sitting inside the truck next to his truck. The handyman, identified as Naocha of Keithelmanbi was hit on his left eyes and was rushed to the hospital, he said.
Following the incident, angry trucks drivers and helpers started reacting against the attitude shown by the ASI.
Later a team of Imphal West police led by Additional Superintendent of police (Operation) Herojit and SDPO Imphal, Mudhunimai rushed to the spot to take control of the protest and later, a negotiation was brought between the police personnel and the representatives of the Truck Driver Council and the All Manipur Motor Workers and Transporters` Union following which, normal truck services will resume tomorrow.