According to postal officials, the mail bags were seized and set ablaze by individuals enforcing a counter-economic blockade
KRC TIMES Manipur Bureau
Imphal | Employees of the Head Post Office in Imphal staged a protest on Tuesday demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for burning 37 mail bags in Manipur’s Ukhrul district and sought action against the security personnel escorting the postal vehicle at the time of the incident.
Holding placards and raising slogans, the protesters condemned the destruction of postal consignments and urged the authorities to ensure accountability for those involved in the attack as well as the officials responsible for safeguarding the mail.
The protest followed Monday’s incident in which a postal van transporting consignments for the Ukhrul, Somdal and Kamjong post offices was intercepted near Shangkai Kuki village under Litan Police Station. According to postal officials, the mail bags were seized and set ablaze by individuals enforcing a counter-economic blockade.
Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, Ukhrul Postmaster Wungreipam Rimai said the Ukhrul Head Post Office lost 32 mail bags, including 23 parcel bags, two speed post bags, three ordinary mail bags and two registered letter bags.
He added that Somdal Post Office lost four mail bags-one parcel bag, two speed post bags and one ordinary mail bag-while Kamjong Post Office lost one mail bag, taking the total number of destroyed bags to 37.
According to postal authorities, the burnt consignments contained personal parcels and several important documents, including ATM cards, passports, educational certificates and registered mail, besides food items, clothing and other essential goods meant for residents of the hill districts.
The Ukhrul Head Post Office has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with Litan Police Station, seeking a thorough investigation into the incident and the identification of those responsible.
Postal employees described the attack as a serious disruption of an essential public service and called for stronger security measures to ensure the safe movement of mail in conflict-prone areas.
Following the incident, postal authorities announced that mail services to Ukhrul district have been suspended indefinitely until further instructions from higher authorities, citing security concerns.
