IMPHAL, July 8: A handyman of an oil tanker truck coming to Imphal was killed and the driver said to be in a critical state after their oil tanker fell into a gorge last night at around 10 at Nagaland in between Kohima and Zakhama along National Highway No 2.
According to sources, the oil tanker loaded with 12 KL of petrol felt into the gorge 200 feet deep after rolling for three times. Efforts are on to pull up the oil tanker by transferring the oil to another empty tanker. The oil tanker was one of the oil tankers trying to reach Imphal before the KSDC total bandh from 5 am today began.
The deceased handyman of the oil tanker truck bearing registration number MN-05-5297 has been identified as Hemchand alias Irabot (19), son of Tomba of Waithou.
The owner of the truck is identified as (L) K Nilo Singh of Uripok and the driver has been identified as Khumanlambam Sunder Singh (38), son of Kh Nimai Singh of Phumlou Keiroi Awang Leikai under Lamsang police station. He is being treated at Naga Hospital, Kohima and is said to be in a critical condition.
All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers’ Union (AMRTDMWU) general secretary Kullamani, speaking to media said that handyman Hemchand body was picked up from the gorge with the help of the drivers’ union in Kohima at around 11:30 this morning. After conducting post mortem examination at Naga Hospital, his dead body was brought upto Taphou Kuki in Manipur by the drivers’ union of Nagaland and from there, he was brought to Imphal and later to his native place Waithou , he said.
Meanwhile, All Manipur Petroleum Tankers’ & Drivers’ Union president Bhupenchandra Gosh extended his condolence over the demise of the young handyman who also a student.