Two inter-district state transport buses attacked in Manipur

IMPHAL: At least two state transport buses were attacked in tribal-inhabited Kangpokpi and another place in Manipur on Saturday post resumption of inter-district services from Imphal to hill districts after over 20 months, officials said.

A police official in Imphal said that though the buses were escorted by the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), activists of the tribal organisations attacked the buses, including one Senapati district-bound vehicle in Kangpokpi.

The activists pelted stones on the buses, and in a few places, they put up blockades.

In some places, the security personnel tried to disperse the activists by resorting to lathi charge and opening fire in the air. The CAPF personnel also fired tear gas shells and resorted to baton-charging, causing injuries to a few protesters, the official said.

He said that the Churachandpur-bound bus reached Kangvai after passing through the Bishnupur district without any obstruction, the official said.

The tribal-dominated Churachandpur and Senapati district-bound buses were moved from Imphal at around 10 a.m. without any passengers, and a large contingent of CAPF personnel escorted the vehicles belonging to the government-owned Manipur State Transport Corporation (MSTC). Details of all the incidents from the districts are awaited.

The bus services were resumed from Saturday after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during an all-important review meeting in Delhi on March 1, directed the officials to ensure free movement of people on all roads in Manipur from March 8 and asked for strict action against anyone attempting to create obstructions. (IANS)

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