Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 4
It was mayhem at the 5th Mile stretch of NH 39 in Dimapur on Friday evening as four goods-carriers on ‘security forces’ duty’ came under attack from Naga student volunteers.
The four trucks, which were partially damaged, were part of a mixed convoy of vehicles from the army, Assam Rifles and BSF coming from Manipur. The incident occurred between 4:30 and 5:30 pm when the tail-end of the convoy was targeted by the attackers. The windshields were damaged from stone pelting. According to police, the attackers also tried to burn one of the trucks but were prevented by the police who reached the spot as soon as they got information on the incident. Fortunately the situation was brought under control while no loss of lives or injury was reported.
A massive traffic jam resulted from the incident as vehicles got stuck for quite some time along the stretch.
Of the four trucks three had Manipur registration while one had Nagaland number with stickers pasted on their windshields which read ‘On Assam Rifles Duty’, ‘On Army Duty’. Sources said that the registration plates of the trucks were found tampered with, though it is not confirmed.
The SDPO Dimapur, Shouka Kakheto later briefing the local media said that the convoy was mostly made up of vehicles from the 16 Assam Rifles and ‘civilian’ goods carriers on duty for the security forces. According to the police version 4-5 unidentified persons came on the road and started attacking the trucks with stones.
The back of one of the trucks was still burning when police reached the spot, it was learned but it was doused before it could engulf the whole vehicle.
The attackers used kerosene, police said.
The drivers of the trucks abandoned their vehicles when it came under attack. Police are yet to trace them except one who was taken to the Diphupar police station for security.
The driver later told media persons at the police station that they had ferried ‘CSD’ goods and were returning to Dimapur.
All the four trucks are now being kept at the police station.
The SDPO, Dimapur said that no arrests have been made so far and did not comment on who was responsible for the incident. He denounced the action which had only disturbed public peace and tranquility.
