Imphal: Manipur continues to witness sporadic attacks and unrest ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, putting more pressure on the northeastern state’s overburdened security apparatus that is battling ethnic clashes since last May.
On Tuesday morning, unidentified miscreants, suspected to be Kuki insurgents, ambushed a fleet of tankers along National Highway 37, also known as the Imphal-Jiribam Highway.
The incident took place around 10:30 am between Shanti Khunou and Kaimai in Tamenglong district, a senior police officer told ThePrint.
The driver of one of the vehicles sustained bullet injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital. He has been identified as Tularam Magar from Irang Part-II village in Tamenglong district.
Four fuel trucks were damaged in the attack, the district police officer added. They included two diesel trucks, another carrying petrol and an LPG gas bullet tanker.
Police said “suspected Kuki insurgents” opened indiscriminate fire at the convoy of tankers. Security measures in the area have been intensified, and an investigation launched.
In the aftermath of the attack, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh called an emergency meeting of all transporters, dealers and distributors, members of drivers’ unions and oil marketing companies.
The Northeast state, which has been facing ethnic conflict between Kukis and Meiteis for almost a year, will go to polls in three days.
Since the last 10 months, the Manipur government has directed goods-laden vehicles and oil tankers through a “safer”, but little used route along the NH 37.
Meanwhile, in view of the uncertain situation, locals in Imphal are queuing up outside filling stations to stock up on fuel. The panic buying has prompted the state government to issue a notification, urging residents to purchase fuel only for their daily needs, assuring them that there is enough stock.
The surge in demand for fuel has been triggered by fear of a possible cease-work strike by transporters. A resident of Imphal said some were even buying petrol at Rs 130 per litre in the black market.
The government has asked all petrol pumps to be open as usual.
A member of the Meitei Heritage Society (MHS), a civil society forum, told ThePrint that the attack on tankers shows how insurgents and armed groups can strike at will.
Talking about the current security scenario, the MHS said people in Manipur were going through a very difficult phase, and it is critical that the Election Commission ensured a free and fair election.
“Once the election was announced, violence in Manipur simply halted. So, are the perpetrators of violence busy campaigning? Was the ethnic violence planned and engineered – to achieve a long planned political goal by some powerful people, including those from outside the country?” it further asked, without naming anybody.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
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