NSCN(IM) denies involvement in burning of oil tankers

IMPHAL, March 15: The banned National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has clarified that they are not involved in the burning down of 15 oil tankers on the National Highway near Karong in Senapati district on Thursday. The deputy secretary of the NSCN(IM), Wabang, in a press statement, said: "We have nothing to do with the said incident," and described the incident as an unfortunate one. The incident which occurred in Senapati district led to the death a driver and 15 others sustained injuries when a group of well-armed youths attacked a convoy of 54 oil tankers. The statement further said that the blame which was given to the NSCN(IM) without any compunction may damage the good image of the outfit. The statement also criticised the Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam and the Director General of Police, Manipur DS Grewal for squarely blaming the NSCN(IM) without substantiating any evidence. As a result of the incident, the oil tankers have stopped transporting fuel from other parts of the country particularly from Assam (Tinsukia and Khatkhati). Besides, all the petrol pumps in and around Imphal town and other district headquarters have remained closed since the incident. The people of the state particularly the vehicle owners and office-goers have been facing scarcity of petrol and diesel in view of the unavailability of fuel in Imphal. However, some of the small-time traders have been bringing in petrol from Myanmar side of the border in small quantities to meet the shortage. In the meantime, the People's Front ministry is likely to provide adequate compensation to the oil tanker owners who lost their vehicles during the incident. The oil tanker owners are likely to get a sum of Rs 2 lakh each from the government. The Chief Minister had also left for New Delhi a few days back to finalise the institution of a highway protection force. It is also learnt that the Central leaders are considering the problem seriously.