IMPHAL, April 18: The Deputy Chief Minister of the state, Gaikhangam has strongly condemned the alleged shooting and killing of a trucker and burning of two trucks by some unidentified persons at New Cachar Road at around 9.30 pm yesterday.
Terming the incident as unfortunate, he assured that whoever involved will be given befitting punishment and added that security measures have been taken up to make the New Cachar Road a safer route.
Speaking to media persons at his Old Secretariat office today, Gaikhangam said the two trucks were heading towards Imphal from Jiribam along with escorts. Taking the advantage of the vehicles being left behind from the convoy after breaking down, armed persons shot at them and set ablaze the trucks at Seijang and Charoi Pandong area.
The trucker Sorokhaibam Babu Singh (40) son of (L) S Thambal Singh of Samurou Awang Leikai, was killed in the firing while another was injured and is being currently treated at RIMS, he said and added that two others managed to escape unhurt and flee towards Noney.
He then said an operation will be performed to find out which group is responsible for the incident.
Adding that he shares the grief of the bereaved family and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured, he appealed to the people to cooperate with all their might to prevent such anti-social and anti-national violence from occurring again.