IMPHAL, April 19: In the midst of a 48 hour Manipur bandh called by the JAC formed against the killing of S Babu and an additional 24 hour chakka bandh called by the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union, about 30 LPG bullet and oil tankers were stoned and damaged today.
Bhupendra Gosh, President of the All Manipur Petrol Tankers and Drivers Union told IFP that the vehicles which met with the accident today had proceeded from Dimapur to Imphal. As usual, the vehicles escorted by CRPF were transporting petrol, diesel and LPG. He said that though the vehicle men had heard about the chaka bandh and general strike in protest against the incident near the Charoi Padongba village along the Imphal – Jiribam road, the oil tankers and LPG bullet vehicles had already set off for Imphal and were proceeding towards Imphal. When the tankers reached Makhan, bandh supports pelted stones at them at 4 a.m. he said.
Wind shields of some of the 30 LPG bullet and oil tankers were damaged but the drivers and handymen of the tankers did not sustain any injuries.
The president further said that the Association strongly condemned the incident wherein S Babu Singh son of Late Sorokhaibam Thambal Singh of Awang Leikai was killed and claimed that it was the Government’s failure to provide adequate security that led to the unfortunate incident. He further demanded that the Government should provide a government job to a member of the bereaved family and give all possible aids to the family. “The incident shows that there is no law and order in the state.”