In further signs of escalating tensions just ahead of the Lok Sabha election in Manipur, a convoy of fuel tankers carrying oil and LPG was attacked near Kaimei village along the National Highway 37 connecting the Imphal Valley to Jiribam on Tuesday morning.
Videos of the stopped convoy along the NH 37 after the attack by alleged armed miscreants soon went viral on social media. One of the videos showed fuel leaking through what appeared to be bullet holes in the tankers, while another one showed LPG leaking out of a tanker. News of the incident triggered panic buying of fuel at petrol stations in several places, prompting the State government to issue a statement.
Security forces in the State have launched a joint combing operation in the area of the attack, a government source said.
