Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 10, 2010:
Windshields of at least six Imphal bound goods laden trucks broke down in stoning by the blockade supporters on the way at Senapati last night about 11 pm, seven hour before the relaxation of the economic blockade imposed by the Senapati District Students Association (SDSA).
The striking SDSA has relaxed the blockade for 36 hour effective from 6 am of today till 6 pm of tomorrow (February 11).The blockade commenced from February 2 last.
Police said that the six trucks were among around 50 vehicles which left Mao gate without security escort last night on hearing news of relaxation even though the relaxation was yet to take effect at that time.
When the trucks reached Senapati at about 11 am, suspected blockade supporters turned out and attacked the trucks with stones.
Amidst the heavy shower of stones, the trucks managed to cross the portion of the highway last night itself.
In the stoning, windshields of at least six trucks were broke down, police said, adding that truckers suffered no casualty.
On the other hand, with the relaxation of the economic blockade begining at 6 am today, all goods ferrying trucks stranded at Khuzuma beyond the Mao gate on Nagaland side left for Imphal.
No further untoward incident occurred to them, reports said.
However, oil tankers stranded at Khatkati in Assam bordering Dimapur of Nagaland are still there waiting for security escort to be provided by the Nagaland police.
Tankers have been stranding there for the last around 10 days causing scarcity of petroleum products in Imphal.
All the petrol retail outlets in Imphal and its outskirts have been closed for the last five days which compelled people to buy fuels from black marketers who have emerged openly nearby the outlets.
Prices of the petrol in the black markets rose to Rs 60 per litre at the minimum.
The SDSA has imposed the bandh in protest against government's failure to repair the deteriorated condition of NH-39 along the stretch of highway within the Senapati district despite repeated plea and assurance from the state government.