Security measures have been tightened in Manipur after armed miscreants opened fired on a fleet of trucks, including oil tankers, on the Imphal – Jiribam Highway in Manipur on Tuesday.
The incident took place at around 10.30 am on Tuesday along NH 37, between Shanti Khunou and Kaimai in Tamenglong district, around 160 km away from Imphal, police said.
Armed miscreants fired at the convoy of goods-laden trucks and oil tankers, and four fuel trucks, including one LPG truck, were hit.
The driver of one of the vehicles, Tularam Magar from Irang Part-II village in Tamenglong, sustained bullet injuries to his leg and is currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital. Police said that Magar was airlifted from Khongsang helipad.
The Manipur government has been bringing goods-laden vehicles and oil tankers via the ‘safer’, but less-used NH-37 for the past 10 months after ethnic violence erupted in the state.
An investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the miscreants behind the ambush, police said.
Meanwhile, after the incident, people could be seen queuing in front of petrol pumps across the state with their vehicles, to stock up fuel. This surge in demand is due to fear of a possible cease-work strike by transporters, although there has been no official confirmation of such strike at the timing of filing this report.