M A I N   N E W S

Manipur blockade continues
Three jawans killed in ambush

Imphal, July 10
Hundreds of passengers were stranded at many places in Manipur today during a Naga-student sponsored economic blockade for the second day, even as two India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel were suspended for their role in alleged attack on agitators, official sources said.

Situation arising out of blockade on the Imphal-Guwahati National Highway 39 in Senapati district was reported tense as the state remained cut off from the country,the sources said.

Although two IRB personnel who were allegedly involved in the beating of a civilian and shooting at another on Friday night in Senapati had been suspended, the blockade remained in force.

Reports from Senapati said although the Naga-sponsored blockade of NH 39 would end this evening, another blockade by a Sadar Hill District Demand Committee on the same Highway would begin from midnight for three days.

Peeved at the frequent blockades, which impeded normal activity in the state, an umbrella organisation of Manipuri students the United Committee Manipur today blamed the Central government for not developing the Imphal-Silchar highway (NH53) and for deployment of protection forces on it.

At a meeting here, UCM resolved to demand urgent steps for development of national highways that serve as a lifeline to the state and appealed to the All-Naga Students Association in Manipur to settle the issues to end the indefinite economic blockade on NH 39.

Meanwhile, three security personnel were killed and two seriously injured when insurgents ambushed an Assam Rifles patrol in Manipur’s Thoubal district today, official sources said.

Insurgents exploded a powerful bomb when the patrol party of the 34th battalion of the Assam Rifles was passing through Waithou Area on NH 39, 18 km from here.

After exploding the bomb, the insurgents who were hiding beside a roadside hill, sprayed bullets on the security personnel killing three soldiers on the spot and injuring two others.

It is not immediately known whether there were any casualties on the side of the insurgents, they said.

The injured security men were rushed to Army Hospital at Leimakhong area, 25 km from here, the sources said.

Additional security forces have been rushed to the spot and a combing operation is underway to nab the insurgents who had escaped after the attack.

The identity of the insurgents was not immediately known. The United National Liberation Front, People’s Liberation Army (PLA), People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak were active in the area, the sources said. — PTI