Imphal, June 22 2010: Unidentified persons in a Bolero jeep hijacked four Tata DIs loaded with fishe before abandoning the vehicles after confiscating the vehicle documents, mobile phone handsets and some money from the occupants as the vehicles got stuck in a hilly terrain and could not proceed further.

According to Nongchup (west) Kameng locals, four Tata DIs were spotted at around 4.30 am today along a seldom used hilly tract that connects Nongchup Kameng to Luwangshangbam.

Inspite of being initially apprehensive on seeing the vehicles lying idle in the early hours, more local villagers were called out after which the vehicles were approached with extreme caution.

On being inquired the vehicle operators contended that about 10 unidentified persons in a black colour Bolero Jeep waylaid them at Pheidinga area at around 2.30 am after they had come along NH-39 with fish loads, Nongchup Kameng villagers quoted some drivers as saying.

The Bolero occupants reportedly took the Tata DIs towards Loitang, Mana Ingkhol and Kameng Sabal before heading to the direction of the hilly tract near Nongchup Kameng village, which is in a dilapidated condition.

Nongchup Kameng is about 10 kilometres east of Lamshang police station.

As one of the loaded Tata DIs got stuck while trying to negotiate through the hilly tract thereby blocking passage of other vehicles, the unidentified persons left after confiscating the vehicle documents, money possessed by the vehicle operators and their mobile phone handsets.

It is also said that when the villagers reached the stranded vehicles some operators were seen offloading some fish boxes apparently to lighten the weight and proceed ahead.

After assessing the situation, local villagers towed the stuck vehicle free with the help of their agricultural tractors and saw the Tata DIs head for NH-39 road via Khramen.

After about 10 minutes a Bolero Jeep and a Tata 407 truck arrived at the spot where the Tata DIs were stuck and carried away the off-loaded fish boxes.

Lamshang police have conducted a spot enquiry to establish facts on circumstances surrounding the entire incident.

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