SADAR HILLS, Aug 17: Two vehicles belonging to The Sangai Express were damaged near Kangpokpi bridge along Imphal-Dimapur road on National Highway-2 by suspected economic blockade volunteers of the All Manipur Written Test Successful Candidates of Manipur Police Constable Male 2013, Senapati unit.
The incident happened today at about 1 pm when the two empty trucks bearing Regd. No. AS01-CC- 6982 and AS01-GC- 8438 were attacked by suspected blockade volunteers near the upper bridge at Kangpokpi while they were heading towards Dimapur side.
The blockade volunteers attacked the vehicles by pelting stones and ran away from the spot after damaging the front windshields of both the vehicles while both the drivers sustained minor injuries.
25 Assam Rifles Kangpokpi post and police personnel of Kangpokpi PS immediately rush to the spot and took control of the situation. Three of the attackers were arrested by Senapati police. Earlier in the morning, oil tankers heading towards Imphal were stoned at Karong area in which three persons including a truck driver identified as Usham Gojen (20) of Khurkhul Sabok Leikai were injured. Gojen is reportedly undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity in Imphal.
The two trucks of The Sangai Express were attacked despite the fact that ‘On Press Duty’ in red was pasted boldly on the windscreens of the two vehicles.
Recognizing the role and importance of press/media, medical and other emergency services, it is the norm for bandhs and blockades to be relaxed for these services in the State.
This is what has made the attack more unacceptable.
Except for the attack on the two vehicles of The Sangai Express and the stone pelting incident at Karong area, the blockade had little impact on the movement of vehicles.
