Imphal: The United Kuki National Army (UKNA) has claimed that the outfit carried out the attack on Oil and Gas tankers coming towards Imphal from Jiribam district on 16 April, Tuesday near Keimai, which falls under the jurisdiction of Tousem Police in Tamenglong district along the National Highway 37 Imphal Jiribam injuring two drivers and damaging trucks.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday said, the government has initiated action to arrest armed militants who carried out the attack on the convoy of petroleum carrying trucks along Imphal Jiribam national highway.

While talking to media persons at the office of BJP Manipur, Biren while assuring a befitting response on the part of government, the Manipur Chief Minister said Search operation is underway to nab the culprits. The state government will not allow such violent activities along National and State Highways.

On the other hand, many trucks carrying goods and petroleum products have been stranded at various places in Jiribam district, following yesterday’s attack along the Imphal-Jiri National Highway 37. Drivers of trucks fearing for their lives have parked their vehicles along the sides of the highway in the district.

According to officials, about 167 vehicles, including 105 oil tanker trucks and 62 good laden trucks are currently stranded at Jiribam district, and the number could increase as many more trucks are also heading towards Jiribam district from Assam.

It may be mentioned that during the attack on Tuesday, two drivers were hit by bullets and a total of five trucks including 3 Diesel tankers, 1 LPG bullet tanker and one ATF vehicle were heavily damaged leaking oil and gas.

According to a Press Release shared on Social Media by the Defence Secretary of the outfit UKNA, said that the attack was one of the first offensive operations against the supply of the essential commodities and other weaponry meant to aid the Meitei Community.

The UKNA while saying that the outfit felt sorry for injuring drivers during the operation also warned that no Imphal bound goods vehicle transportation should ply on the National Highway 37 with immediate effects.

The organization alleging the state government for creating a humanitarian crisis said that the offensive operation has been initiated by the organization in view of the acute humanitarian crisis and to check the illegal transportation of lethal bombs and other weaponry to attack the Kuki people.

Mentioning that the operation is a continuing process and further warned any transporters, neglecting this order should be treated as the enemy of the Kukis and he or she will face the consequence of disobedience for which he or she shall be responsible.