IMPHAL: In a shocking breakdown of the law and order situation in Manipur, armed miscreants today opened fire on trucks plying along the Imphal-Jiribam national highway.
Armed forces have now been deployed to the site of the incident to ensure peace and tranquility in the region.
"Today morning on Imphal Jiribam National Highway unidentified armed personnel shot at trucks as they were passing. They deliberately fired shots on the tires n oil tanks of the trucks," a source informed us.
The incident that occurred near the Kaiphundai village has raised fresh concerns about the militancy problem in the Northeast, and especially in Manipur where the ethnic strifes run deep.
"Usually, on this Highway, reports of extortion from the vehicles plying on this road by various militant groups are reported frequently," our source further added.
Locals who were passing along the route have taken clips of the incident site which are being shared on social media.
At least 3 trucks were shot at, causing their tires to puncture and oil to dip out of the tankers.
It remains unclear whether extortion was the motive behind the attack and investigations are said to be underway to uncover who is behind the shooting.
There are 18 Kuki militant groups in Manipur. Apart from Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) and Kuki National Army (KNA), other outfits are not very active.