In another retaliatory move, a mob in Kangpokpi District intercepted and burnt down a loaded truck heading towards Imphal on Wednesday evening, following the torching of a bus used by CRPF in Kangpokpi Town the previous day.
Fortunately, the combined swift action of Kangpokpi Police, 22 Assam Rifles, and the CRPF rescued a passenger winger from the massive mob.
In response to heightened tensions in the state and the intensified community night duty along National Highway 2, stricter measures, including thorough frisking and vehicle checks, have been implemented to ensure no vehicles registered under the name of Meitei pass through the Kuki-Zo-dominated territory.
The violent incident on Wednesday evening occurred when an empty truck bearing Registration No. NL01A E7895, traveling towards Dimapur was stopped and checked by a mob. Upon finding out that the truck owner was from the Meitei community, some of them among the mob took the truck away and set it on fire near Alex Farm on NH-2, between Kangpokpi Town and Changoubung, at around 11:00 p.m.
When the police were informed about the incident, they immediately rushed to the spot along with a fire tender. The police also fired several rounds to disperse the irate mob blocking their way to rescue the burning truck. The fire tender managed to douse the fire before it completely burned the truck, but the assailants, taking advantage of the darkness, escaped from the scene.
A case has been registered in connection with the incident at Kangpokpi Police Station while security forces have been intensified in the town.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
