IMPHAL, April 1: A truck driver was allegedly beaten and betel leaves worth around Rs. 1 lakh from his truck was thrown away by four unknown persons at gunpoint this early morning at around 3:10 when the truck was coming from Jiribam towards Imphal.
This was stated to IFP by Devadas of Khurai, a representative of betel leaves vendors, quoting one Aman of Keithelmanbi, a vendor who deals in betel leaves.
He identified the driver of the truck bearing registration number MN-06/L-5262 as Moti Singh, 53, of Sagolband.
He further said the truck was stopped by four men, who were holding a pistol, an SBBL Gun and an iron rod at Kambiron on National Highway 37.
The driver was taken to a nearby house and was held captive for three hours where he was physically and verbally assaulted by the four men, he said.
Around 10 baskets of betel leaves worth around Rs. 1 lakh was thrown away into the gorge, he maintained.
Later the diver was released along with his truck and was admitted at RIMS for treatment of the injury he sustained from the beating, he said.
He also added that they have identified the culprits involved.