Blockade supporters burn five trucks, 45 injured in Assam Rifles' action
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 06 2011:
At least four goods laden trucks were burnt down at Kangpokpi bridge in Sadar Hills and one in Kaimai area by SHDDC and UNC volunteers respectively this evening.
According to police source, around 30 goods laden truck coming along with a convoy of 43 AR were stopped by volunteers of SHDDC at the Kangpokpi bridge at around 6.45 pm.
Then the volunteers began to bombard the AR vehicles with stone.
Angered by the act of the blockade supporters, a clash erupted between the blockade supporters and AR personnel in which about 45 blockade supporters were injured.
In amidst of the chaos and confusion, blockade supporters burnt down four goods laden trucks.
However, Kangpokpi Police assisted the AR convoy and prevented further acts of arson.
On hearing the news, fire tenders of Kangpokpi Fire Service rushed to extinguish the fire.
However, blockade supporters stopped them on their way.
According to the SHDDC spokesman, nine goods laden trucks were burnt down by their volunteers at Kangpoki Bridge who came along with a convoy of 43 AR.
Accusing the 43 Assam Rifles, the SHDDC spokesman said the Assam Rifles collected money from certain transporters in exchange for the provision of escort.
"These activities of the Assam Rifles have been going on for sometime during the SHDDC agitation," said the SHDDC spokesman adding," Is it that the government is not in the position to give salaries to the jawans that they are taking bribe from the transporters in exchange for the escort?" asks the SHDDC spokesman.
In another incident, suspected blockade supporters of UNC last night burnt down a goods laden truck at Keimai area.
The truck was ferrying cement towards Jiribam.
Meanwhile another cement laden truck fell into a deep gorge near Keimai area injuring four persons including the driver.
The truck fell down the 200 feet deep gorge.
The injured persons were rushed to Imphal Hospital for further treatment.