Nab the culprits before things escalated, demand CoTU as mobs torched 3 trucks in Imphal West

The Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi urged the authority concerned to deliver justice by booking the culprits involved in the torching of three trucks belonging to M/S Misao Gas Service this morning in Sekmai area in Imphal West before things get out of hand.

Three empty trucks of M/S Misao Gas Service which were used to transport or ferry LPG Gas Cylinders stationed at LPG Bottling Plants in Sekmai were torched by unruly mobs allegedly led by the Meira Paibis this morning.

The three trucks moved out of the bottling plants after the gas agency received approval from the police.

After the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum's (ITLF) strong condemnation of the incident, the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills condemned the incident in the strongest term in its emergency meeting at Kanggui (Kangpokpi) town, the district headquarters of Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi district.

The situation in Kangpokpi district is very tense after the torching incidents of the tree trucks as enraged mobs decided to block back the highway over the incident.

CoTU Information and Publicity Secretary, Thangtinlen Haokip said that following the UPF and KNO's 'Goodwill Gesture Mission' in opening the highway, the CoTU has been trying hard to convince the public for smooth and free passage of the trucks ferrying essential commodities along the National Highway-2.

Strongly condemning the torching of M/S Misao Gas Service trucks, CoTU termed the incident as a "barbaric continuous attempt" to escalate the already volatile situation on the part of the Meira Paibis.

He also wondered as to how the unruly mobs led by the Meira Paibis could torch the trucks with security escorts provided by the authority concerned.

He also alleged that the mobs after pulling down the drivers and assaulting them, the trucks were taken to other locations near Khurkhul areas and torched the vehicles.

He said that out of the three trucks bearing Registration No. MN06T-2239, MN01AA-3900, and MN01-8128, one was completely set ablaze while the other was partially burnt.

This is an utter contempt against the letter of the State Security Forces to the I.G. (M&N SECTOR) CRPF, Imphal, letter no. B-2/11/23-IGP(Ops)(LO)/1477 to provide security (escort/convoy) for the same, he added.

He also said that this is implicit about the aggressive stance of the Meitei Community led by the Meira Paibis, supported by extremist organizations such as the Meetei Leepun, and the Arambai Tenggol despite the State Government’s statement on the return of normalcy in the state.

He then urged the authority concerned to book the culprits and bring justice before things go out of hand.

Earlier, the office and godown of M/S Misao Gas Service at Chingmeirong, Imphal West, and Mantripukhri had already been vandalized and partially burned by the mobs.

A complaint had also been lodged by the Gas agency at Gamnom Saparmeina Police Station in connection with the torching of the three trucks this morning.

Following the torching of the three trucks, the situation along the highway in Kangpokpi turned tense as enraged mobs decided to block the highway back despite the UPF and KNO's goodwill gesture mission. However, there is no official declaration of the highway blockade on the part of civil society organizations.

Meanwhile, the ITLF vehemently condemned the disregard for life and property that Meira Paibis continues to display.

It stated that Meitei womenfolk, who claim to be the guardians of society, have morphed into killers, arsonists, and abettors of armed militants.

It also alleged that the Meira Paibis have accompanied gunmen during raids on tribal settlements, blocked security forces from helping villagers while they are being attacked, and forced the release of separatist militants responsible for the killings of soldiers.

"The Meira Paiis are not shy of burning innocent women and children alive if given the opportunity", the ITLF alleged.

It continued that despite claims of the N. Biren Singh-led government that the state is returning to normalcy, there is no peace on the ground as the majority community is still continuing with its ethnic cleansing mission - targeting the life and property of all Kuki-Zo tribals.

"This is why there needs to be total separation of the communities for peace to return", the ITLF started.