Imphal, January 9 (MExN): Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) today demanded an impartial enquiry by the Central Government to find out how and why the Manipur Police issued clarification regarding the incident of burning down of truck carrying rice and other essential items bound for the people of Tamenglong district HQ. The truck bearing registration number MN07-3475 carrying about 200 quintals of rice and other essential items was stopped by five armed persons suspected to be underground cadres near S. Laijang Kuki village on the NH 37 around 8:00 am on January 8 and completely burnt down at the spot, stated a press release from Donponang Daimai, General Secretary, ZYF. ZYF expressed surprise that “the Manipur Police came out with a contradictory version of clarification regarding the incident in the newspapers stating that the said Tata truck caught fire due to mechanical failure and not by arson.” The ZYF condemned the “contradictory clarification of Manipur Police with an attempt to conceal and cover up the incident which was actually committed by underground cadres.” The release also mentioned that since the driver and owner of the truck were taken into police custody right after the incident, the ZYF has lost contact with them. “Any uneventful situation happening on the driver and owner of the Tata truck shall be the responsibility of the Manipur Govt. wherein equal accountability should also be fixed on Govt. of India if (it) fails to bring out factual circumstances regarding the incident,” it added.
