Tankers (bulk LPG carriers) escorted by security personnel proceeding towards Imphal were allegedly looted by miscreants at Kanglatongbi area along NH-2 on Wednesday night. The spot is not far away from Imphal.
Alleging that drivers and handymen were also physically assaulted by the looters, drivers have decided to launch steering down strike with immediate effect. The drivers demanded booking of the miscreants involved in the alleged looting. They said that drivers will not resume working until their demand is addressed by the concerned authorities.
All petroleum product carriers were being escorted by CRPF on their to and fro journey, Imphal-Khatkati (Assam) via Nagaland.
As told by the drivers, the miscreants stopped the loaded bullet tankers coming towards with security escorts last midnight. They came back from Khatkati after loading the bulk LPG.
Apart from looting money and mobile phones in their possessions, the miscreants also smashed windshields of vehicles. Drivers and handymen who did not possess money and mobile phones were physically assaulted, the drivers alleged.
Talking to reporters on Thursday, a driver identified as Md Gaffar said they were stopped near an orphan home, also known as motor vehicle checking point, at Kanglatongbi along the NH-2 around midnight. Around five miscreants forced them to stop their vehicles by pelting stones. Front windshields of some vehicles were smashed in the stoning. Then, they allegedly snatched money and mobile phones from the drivers and handymen. Drivers who possessed no money and mobile phones were beaten up, he further alleged.
“We strongly protest the incident and we will stop our service until the concerned authorities arrest the miscreants involved in the looting incident,” the driver said.
Joint secretary of All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union (AMRTDMWU), N Dilip Singh demanded booking of the miscreants at the earliest.
While strongly condemning the incident, he reiterated the long pending demand of highway protection force and frequent ROP along the stretch of the highways in the state and condemned the state government for its delay in addressing the demand.
NNN
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