Excavator set afire near Irang in Tamenglong
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 20 2012:
Unidentified armed persons suspected to be cadres of NSCN-K set afire an excavator near Irang (Taobam) under Nungba police station in Tamenglong district at about 9.30 am yesterday.
The excavator which was being used in making an IVR from Taobam to Punglam was parked near a gorge known as Makhinpang about 4 Kms away from Taobam when it was set afire.
Around 30 armed cadres first arrived at Punglam.
Six of them went ahead to Makhingpang and set the excavator afire on account of which its major portions were burnt.
The excavator of TX-760 model manufactured by Terex-Vectra company belongs to one Khangjrakpam Shyamkumar of Wangkhei Tokpam Leikai.
Speaking to media persons who went to the spot last night, Punglam Village Authority Chairman Angam Phaomei said that Punglam and Taobam are around 10 Kms apart and two excavators were being used to make an IVR between the two villages.
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After a gap of many years, the IVR was being made/developed under a joint effort of the two village authorities.
The excavators were also hired by them privately.
Diesel required for running the excavators was bought by the villagers from their MGNREGS wages and the oil was carried to the work site on shoulder, Angam Phaomei said.
With the onset of rainy season, the road work was halted and one excavator was taken away.
It was the second excavator which was targeted by the miscreants.
Only two Kilometres of road work stand between the two villages before they are finally collected.
Condemning the act of arson, Angam Phaomei said that he could not tell for sure which militant group was behind the act.
However, some sources maintained that suspected cadres of NSCN-K were behind the act of arson.