Mob torches security vehicles carrying liquor

Sobhapati Samom

IMPHAL, June 14 � An angry mob torched two vehicles including one used reportedly by Assam Rifles to transport local liquor in Ukhrul district of Manipur. Preshaw Shimray (Cong) and Samuel Risom (Naga People�s Front) raised the incident during zero hour in the State assembly on Friday. According to Shimray, the incident took place around 9.30 am yesterday when volunteers of Ukhrul NGOs intercepted the vehicle which was carrying around 2,100 litres of local liqour worth around Rs 2 lakh in the local market at Lambui checkpost. Later, the Assam Rifles personnel forcibly took possession of the seized liquor and took them to their camp, sources claimed. Later, an Assam Rifles vehicle loaded with local liquor headed for Ukhrul was intercepted at Hungpung by the public. The Assam Rifles team reportedly claimed that they came to deposit the seized liquor to the police station. But they failed to produce any official document for carrying of the illicit liquor, the report added. The angry public torched the private vehicle (NL01A-3559) and another Assam Rifles mini truck (NL 11-2305) for transporting the illicit alcohol. The owner of the liquor is reported to be absconding while the driver Pahari said the private vehicle was hired to transport the consignment to Ukhrul. Meanwhile, the Commander 10 Sector Assam Rifles along with SP, Ukhrul visited the spot and brought the situation under control, according to Assam Rifles sources. �The matter is being investigated by the Police,�said Assam Rifles authority in a press release. �Unconfirmed reports suggest hand of UG groups. It is noteworthy that there was a bandh on Imphal-Ukhrul highway yesterday.�