The legalised border trade with Myanmar was brought to a grinding halt since Tuesday morning as the transporters and taxi drivers launched an indefinite strike in protest against Sunday’s shooting to death of a taxi driver by suspected militants in Imphal. No vehicle plied on Imphal-Moreh sector of Highway-2. Hundreds of people including women came out on the highway to block traffic.
Gyanendro Okram, a taxi driver was abducted and shot dead inside his own vehicle on Sunday afternoon. Reports said that two toys fitted with explosive devices were found inside the van. The taxi driver is survived by his wife and two children.
Since Sunday afternoon people have been blocking traffic along Singjamei-Kakwa portion of Highway-2 by burning tyres and logs. Police have been trying to disperse them and bring the situation under control.
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Agitators called on the Home Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei on Monday. The Home Minister is reported to have assured them that the culprits would be arrested shortly. However the Home Minister’s appeal to stop blocking the highway was not heeded to.
Meanwhile there is no claim from any underground outfit for the taxi driver’s death.