IMPHAL, Aug 29: After yesterday’s torching of a truck along NH-39, yet another truck, this time a loaded one, has been burnt down by some person suspected to be economic blockade supporters.
The truck was set ablaze at Pfurophe area between Mao and Tadubi in Senapati district along national highway – 39 this morning around 10.30am.
The truck bearing registration number MN-NL-07-A-2285 bound for Imphal had been parking at Pfurophe area due to a mechanical failure since August 27.
According to handyman of the truck, one Suresh Kumar, the truck belongs to one Md Majahar of Dimapur, Nagaland and it was loaded with flour at Dimapur. The flour item had to be unloaded at Churachandpur, Manipur.
According to him, four unidentified persons came riding a Tata Sumo at the spot where the truck had been stranded.
Suresh Kumar further said all the unidentified men were armed with firearms and threatened him for plying the vehicle during the economic blockade.
The unidentified men also demanded Rs. 1 lakh for passing the route during economic blockade. Immediately after the demand was made, one amongst them poured petrol on the truck and started setting fire to the front portion, Suresh revealed.
Any major damage was however prevented as personnel of the 5 AR and Mao police reached the spot in time and put out the fire and saved the truck.
In the meantime, about 300 loaded trucks bound for Manipur are stranded at Nagaland side waiting for security escorts.
A reliable source said twin incidents of setting trucks on fire by suspected economic blockade supporters along NH-39 during the past 24 hours has caused apprehension amongst truckers whether to ply vehicles along the route or not.
