Truck set ablaze by blockade supporters in Manipur

Imphal: A goods-laden truck was set afire by some people, believed to be supporters of the economic blockade, on the Manipur stretch of two national highways in interior Tamenglong district, official reports said today. The truck belonging to Food Corporation of India (FCI) was coming from Jiribam border town along the NH-53 when it was set ablaze at Noney area, about 45 km west of here, last afternoon, the reports said. With this so far more than six vehicles have been set afire by supporters of the blockade while at least four persons including a driver were killed in blockade-related incidents in the past. [caption id=“attachment_101272” align=“alignleft” width=“300” caption=“A truck was set ablaze by blockade supporters in Manipur. Getty Images”] [/caption] The Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC), demanding the conversion of Sadar Hills area in Senapati district into a full-fledged revenue district, launched the blockade on NH-39 (Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati) and NH-53 (Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar) on August 1. The United Naga Council (UNC) opposing the SHDDC demand launched the blockade on the two national highways on August 21 last. A spokesman of the SHDDC had earlier said they would not withdraw the blockade till demand for conversion of Sadar Hills into a full-fledged district is met. SHDDC had dispatched a letter to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram some days ago in this regard, he said. Manipur Youth Affairs and Sports Minister N Biren, also government spokesman, claimed that the prices of essential commodities have come down since loaded trucks were coming in with security escorts. PTI