Tata Sumo, Bolero torched along NH 102
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 11 2012: Heavily armed cadres of NSCN-IM burnt down one Tata Sumo and one Bolero at a spot in between Thamnapokpi and Bongyang along the Imphal Moreh Road (NH 102) at around 5.20 pm today.

The two vehicles were on their way from Moreh to Kakching when they were intercepted and set on fire.

The Tata Sumo bearing registration number MN06L-0235 was being driven by the owner himself identified as Naorem Churamani (35) of Kakching Wairi Senapati Leikai while the Bolero bearing registration number was driving by one Yengkhom Kanta of Kakching Makha Leikai.

The owner of Bolero is said to be one Mayanglambam Modhu of Kakching Wairi Sabal Leikai.

The Bolero was carrying 11 generators, many LCD TVs, batteries and full of clothings while the Tata Sumo was carrying electronic appliances, candles, cigarettes and clothings.

Besides the items carrying in the two vehicles, more than Rs 30,000 in cash being carried by the two drivers and a passenger has been allegedly destroyed in the arson act.

Total estimated loss in the fire is said to be around Rs 40 lakh.

According to information received by Hueiyen Lanpao, two heavily armed persons who were masking their faces with scarves and speaking in Manipuri with accent like that of hill people first stopped the Tata Sumo vehicle at a spot midway between Bongyang and Thamnapokpi.

As soon as the vehicle stopped, the two persons told driver and the passenger to get down and asked them to handover their mobile phones and money.

The two persons were also armed with two bottles of petrol in their hands.

At the time, the Bolero came and managed to escape from the two masked armed men when they tried to stop it.

But it was forced to stop by another six heavily armed persons about 10 metres ahead of the Tata Sumo.

The two drivers pleaded the armed persons not to burn their vehicles saying that they have been paying all the taxes to UG groups in the area.

But instead of hearing their plea, the armed persons poured petrol and set the two vehicles on fire before going away towards Laiphung Tampak village.

After the armed persons left, a van was also coming towards Moreh and the two drivers asked the driver of the Van to call for help and inform security personnel.

The Van returned towards to Imphal and reported the matter to the police.

Finally, after one hour, AR personnel from Pallel, Police Commandos and team of Kakching Fire Services came and doused off the fire.

However, by that time, two vehicles have been burnt beyond redemption.

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