Over 20 passenger vehicles vandalised and burnt at Imphal-Ukhrul road

Imphal, Dec 18: A total of 22 Ukhrul bound passenger vehicles were vandalised and some among them were burnt in between Khurai Konsam Leikai to Khurai Heikrumakhong area in Imphal-Ukhrul road today afternoon by a mob agitating against the UNC. Police team fire several round of gun shots in the air and tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Four persons including 3 male and a a female were injured in the police action.
Report said that large number of people at Imphal Ukhrul road in between Khurai Lamlong till Khurai Heikrumakhong were seen waited since early morning today to impose counter blockade along the route. Vehicles passing through the area towards Ukhrul district had been checked and essential commodities found carrying were pull down and destroyed by the people enforcing counter blockade against the prolong economic blockade of the UNC. All of a sudden around 40 passenger vehicles including Buses and other four wheeler vehicles were seen moving towards Ukhrul at around 11 am. When enquired about the reason for movement of such a large number of passenger vehicles it was told that those passengers were on their way back to their native village to celebrate the Christmas festival. The agitators imposing counter blockade reportedly halt the passenger vehicles and prevented them from proceeding forward asking them to return back and celebrate the Christmas atthe place where they stayed. However, police team present at the site intervene and mob and allowed the passenger vehicles to pass through. Following the move, the mob started pelting stones and started burning vehicles after pulling down the passengers. The mob even vandalised a police gypsy vehicle and a bus were were burnt by the irate mob.