IMPHAL, April 22 NNN: Protesting against the abduction of an oil tanker driver from Manipur near Nagaland capital Kohima by suspected militants in the early hours of Sunday, the All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers’ Union (AMPTDU) has launched an indefinite strike from Monday.
Shougrakpam Surjit Singh, 42, son of Sh Phajaton, a resident of Sangakpham bazaar in Imphal was reportedly kidnapped by unidentified gunmen from Nagaland’s Kohima district near New Reserve Line around 4:30 am Sunday. Since then, his whereabouts is not known.
Y Bipin Chandra, president, AMPTDU while addressing the media here on Monday, said AMPTDU has decided to go on strike from Monday in protest against abduction of driver Surjit and oil tanker drivers would not return to work until he is released.
He said oil tankers are usually escorted by CRPF personnel in Nagaland from Khatkhati in Assam and then they are escorted by CRPF personnel in Manipur after crossing Nagaland border. The oil tanker drove by Surjit was coming toward Imphal along with other 116 vehicles escorted by personnel of 79 CRPF Battalion after loading diesel from Assam.
Bipin further urged NGOs in the state to extend support to the union in its stir.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tankers-launch-stir-to-protest-kidnapping/
