IMPHAL, June 28: Unknown armed persons set ablaze a Diesel Auto along the Inter Village Road between Kangla Sangomshang and Angom Mamang Leikai under Lamlai Police station today, around 7pm.
According to the driver who identified himself as Khundrakpam Bibi (20), son of (L) Kora of Lamphel Sanakeithel, the assailants numbering three before setting his auto ablaze had threatened him after blindfolding and tying his hands at gun point.
He said, the Diesel Auto bearing regd no MN 06 SA 4259 which plies along the Khuman Lampak-GM Hall route, was parked at Khuman Lampak when a man came up and reserved the auto to collect three bags of Urea from Khurai Salanthong area at around 6pm today.
He continued that on reaching Khurai Salanthong, the man wanted to go towards Ng Mani College, where they met another person who seemed to be waiting for them.
The two persons further asked him to travel towards Kangla Sangomshang, he said.
He elaborated that before reaching Kangla Sangomshang, they met a Honda CBZ borne individual which the two passengers asked him to follow as he will take them to the place from where the urea was to be picked up.
He further said on reaching a place between Kangla Sangolsang and Angom Mamang Leikai, his passengers pointed a gun at him and asked him to stop the vehicle.
After tying his hands and blindfolding him, the three threatened him that the auto driver’s association has been ignoring them and set his auto on fire and fled from the scene in the Honda CBZ.
He was saved by the locals who came out on seeing the fire, he said.