New Delhi: Police in Manipur have registered an FIR against unidentified miscreants who intercepted an India Post mail van and set fire to 35 postal bags containing passports, ATM cards, educational documents, and other articles.
The FIR was registered at Litan police station in Ukhrul district, a senior police officer confirmed to ThePrint. It was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 221 (obstructing public servant in discharging duties), 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 326 (mischief), 324(4) (mischief causing moderate financial damage), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 3(5) (common intention) and Arms Act.
“Investigation into the case is underway,” the officer said.
The incident took place Monday on National Highway 202, between Yaingangpokpi and Litan Road, in Manipur’s Ukhrul district.
Ukhrul Sub-Post Office postmaster Wungreipam Rimai had said in a video statement that “30 postal bags meant for Ukhrul, four for Somdal and one for Kamjong” were destroyed and that the Department of Posts is taking steps to restore services.
Postal services in Ukhrul were suspended indefinitely Tuesday in light of the incident.
The incident came against the backdrop of a ‘counter-economic blockade’ called by the Kuki CSO Working Committee along NH-202, which connects Mokokchung in Nagaland to Imphal in Manipur. The blockade, which came into effect at midnight of 26 July, was called to protest what the Kuki CSO Working Committee termed continued obstruction of essential commodities meant for the Kuki-Zo people of Ukhrul, Kamjong and Kangpokpi.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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