KANGPOKPI, June 24: In an unexpected incident an iron rod-loaded truck was burnt partially by suspected volunteers of ATSUM (Tombing) group in between Koubru Laikha and Sapormeina this afternoon at around 1:50 along the Asian Highway 1.
The Kuki Students`™ Organisation, Sadar Hills condemned the incident stating that no civil organisations in Sadar Hills endorse and support the ongoing economic blockade.
The truck bearing regd no MN07C-3611 was loaded with the iron rods from Satyam Industries, Taphou Kuki and was heading towards a godown in Mantripukhri, Imphal when the incident occured.
The driver of the ill-feted vehicle has been identified by the police as Md Hallal, 55, son of (L) Md Shirajuddin from Singa Yairipok. The handyman of the truck has been identified as the driver`™s son SM. Shajad, 18.
Md Hallal speaking to media persons said that some unidentified miscreants numbering around four stopped us in between Koubru Laikha and Sapormeina and shouted, `Aren`™t you aware of the Economic Blockade?`
He continued that before we could say anything one of them took us away a few distance from the spot and the remaining three set the truck on fire using some petrol which they seem to have bought in a water bottle.`™
The one who took us away freed us only after his friends burnt the vehicle continued the driver.
Immediate intervention and praiseworthy action of Sapormeina Police, AR and locals of Sapormeina managed to doused the fire and save the truck from completely burning.
However, the front part of the vehicle had already been totally damaged by the fire when the police, AR and the locals swung into action.
Interestingly, while the police personnel including AR and the locals of Sapormeina were busy fetching water and struggling hard in dousing the blazing fire, Fire Service, Kangpokpi reached the spot only after 2/3 hours of the incident said one local of Sapormeina.
Hectic efforts are on to nab the culprits said the Second Officer-in-charge of Sapormeina PS.
In the meantime, Kuki Students`™ Organization Sadar Hills intensely condemned the incident and term it as an act of `trepidation`.
No civil organizations in Sadar Hills endorse or support the ongoing ATSUM (Tombing) economic blockade in Sadar Hills and they ATSUM (Tombing) have no right to carry out such unnecessary activities within the jurisdiction of KSO Sadar Hills lamented Kuki Students`™ Organization Sadar Hills president Thangminlen Kipgen.
He continued that Maun Tombing`™s term had already ended last April and it is very much unjustifiable on the part of the ATSUM (Tombing) to call and impose such kind of agitation(economic blockade) even after expiry of the tenure.
Therefore, it will be a wise step on the part of the law enforcement agency to nap the culprits under NSA so as to ensure a good exemplary to such civil organizations and the people as a whole who have no reputable administration and functioning, KSO Sadar Hills supremo added.
He further said the unexpected and perhaps an astonishing act of Maun Tombing and his so called volunteers engaged in the vile incident today is also an indirect tackle towards the CSOs of Sadar Hills. Sadar Hills CSOs including KSO Sadar Hills will no longer endure if repeated in future without maintaining its