Driver assaulted, JAC warns bandh
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Our Correspondent
THOUBAL, Oct 5: Driver of one passenger van (Eeco) which plies on Imphal-Moreh highway was brutally assaulted by some armed persons for refusing to give them Rs 100.
Meanwhile, fellow drivers have warned of indefinite bandh on Imphal-Moreh highway if the culprits are not booked within 48 hours.
The victim identified as Md Abdul Hakim (30) s/o Abdul Aziz of Sora Keithel said that he came home from Moreh at around 7 pm without any passenger as very few passengers were available.
As he reached Chamol village, Tengnoupal, also known as Zero, some people who were there at the point where Kuki militants usually collect ‘tax’ stopped him and asked him to pay them Rs 250.
Pointing out that he was neither carrying any passenger nor goods, Md Abdul Hakim declined the unknown persons’ demand. The armed persons then demanded at least Rs 100 but Md Abdul Hakim could not give any money.
Subsequently, the armed persons thrashed him brutally.
Taking strong exception to the assault, drivers who operate transport service on Imphal-Moreh highway staged a protest demonstration at Sora Keithel today.
The gathering also formed Joint Action Committee Against Brutal Torture of Md Abdul Hakim.
Later, the JAC announced that they would impose an indefinite bandh on Imphal-Moreh highway from October 7 morning if those people involved in assaulting the driver are not booked by 6 am of the same day.
One driver said that the place where Md Abdul Hakim was assaulted is very close to a police outpost.
Saying that armed persons have been extorting and harassing drivers/transporters along Imphal-Moreh highway despite the presence of police, the driver sought immediate attention of the Government in the issue.
He also sought intervention of the Government regarding the restriction imposed by Assam Rifles (Khudengthabi post) on the volume of goods transported on the highway.
THOUBAL, Oct 5: Driver of one passenger van (Eeco) which plies on Imphal-Moreh highway was brutally assaulted by some armed persons for refusing to give them Rs 100.
Meanwhile, fellow drivers have warned of indefinite bandh on Imphal-Moreh highway if the culprits are not booked within 48 hours.
The victim identified as Md Abdul Hakim (30) s/o Abdul Aziz of Sora Keithel said that he came home from Moreh at around 7 pm without any passenger as very few passengers were available.
As he reached Chamol village, Tengnoupal, also known as Zero, some people who were there at the point where Kuki militants usually collect ‘tax’ stopped him and asked him to pay them Rs 250.
Pointing out that he was neither carrying any passenger nor goods, Md Abdul Hakim declined the unknown persons’ demand. The armed persons then demanded at least Rs 100 but Md Abdul Hakim could not give any money.
Subsequently, the armed persons thrashed him brutally.
Taking strong exception to the assault, drivers who operate transport service on Imphal-Moreh highway staged a protest demonstration at Sora Keithel today.
The gathering also formed Joint Action Committee Against Brutal Torture of Md Abdul Hakim.
Later, the JAC announced that they would impose an indefinite bandh on Imphal-Moreh highway from October 7 morning if those people involved in assaulting the driver are not booked by 6 am of the same day.
One driver said that the place where Md Abdul Hakim was assaulted is very close to a police outpost.
Saying that armed persons have been extorting and harassing drivers/transporters along Imphal-Moreh highway despite the presence of police, the driver sought immediate attention of the Government in the issue.
He also sought intervention of the Government regarding the restriction imposed by Assam Rifles (Khudengthabi post) on the volume of goods transported on the highway.