Imphal, Feb 10: Vehicular traffic along National Highway 2 was put to a grinding halt for around 8 hours today after passenger auto drivers and locals of Sekmai area protest kidnapping of an auto driver by armed group, preventing all sort of vehicular movement along the highway. The protest was however wind up after the driver was released at around noon today.
Already the NH 2 has been partially crippled due to the ongoing economic blockade by the UNC. However, passenger service vehicles were allowed to travel by the UNC. Today’s sudden bandh had created immense suffering to the passengers who were returning back to Imphal and also who were supposed to leave Imphal for Senapati.
The auto driver identified as Robin Thapa (about 26 years old) son of Kumar Thapa of Kanglatombi AR Colony who ran passenger service along the highway has been reported missing since yesterday morning. Later, an armed organization called Thadou Peoples’ Liberation Army had claimed responsibility about the kidnapping of the auto driver and demanded a sum of Rs. One lakh for his released. He was later released at around 10.30 am at Gampiphai area near Kanglatombi.
On learning the report, drivers of passenger auto gathered at Sekmai Keithel and staged protest in the middle of the road using placards decrying harassment to drivers. The locals of the area also joined the protest and prevented all sort of vehicular movement along the route, until the time when the armed militants released him.
Due to the sudden protest, passenger vehicles coming towards Imphal from Dimapur and Senapati side had remained stranded for hours. Those moving towards Senapati side were also forced to take alternative route during the protest.
