IMPHAL,Aug 4 – Even as normal life has been severely paralysed due to All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) sponsored 12- hour statewide bandh in protest against Monday’s Imphal blast, three goods-laden trucks were torched by blockade supporters in the National Highway 39 and 53 today.
Manipur had been facing a week-long Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) sponsored economic blockade on the two highways that connect the State with the rest of the country since July 31 midnight demanding creation of Sadar Hills revenue district.
Two of the three goods laden trucks were set on fire on NH 39 near Kangpokpi area while another one was torched on NH 53 near Keithelmanbi, both under Senapati district. Besides, one Hyundai I-10 car and one motorcycle were also reportedly damaged at different places under Kangpokpi police station.
According to a police official of Kangpokpi police station, the trucks were coming towards Imphal from Dimapur.
On Tuesday, an oil tanker truck rammed over three women near Kanglatongbi on NH 39, killing two -Yaireithai Tangkhul (21), a student and Krishna Maya (65) on the spot while the third succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The driver and his handyman also sustained injuries after the truck swerved and hit a tree.
With the death of three women today, the death toll since the demand for Sadar Hill district began has gone up to five. Reacting to yesterday’s incident, the general secretary Tonghen Kipgen of SHDDC while speaking to media said that they will continue their agitation till their demands are met.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh made it clear that the government has been seriously considering not only the demand for upgrading Sadar Hills but also Jiribam into full fledged districts. “We are not against granting districthood,” he said while speaking to reporters in Imphal on Tuesday. “However, if anyone takes up violent activities, we will not remain silent spectators, we will take action as per law”, he said.
Meanwhile, AMSU sponsored 12 hour Statewide bandh which concluded at 5 pm today crippled normal life. All inter-district passenger services were suspended, while all the educational institutions and commercial establishments including the busy Khwairamband keithel in Imphal remained closed. All roads in the State capital wore a desolate look during the bandh. The bandh was called in protest against the blast at sangakpam market which claimed five lives and injuring seven others.