Excavator, bull dozer set ablaze
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 02 2014: One excavator and a bull dozer used in repairing/development work of Old Cachar Road (Tongjei Maril) between Joujangtek and Rengpang were set ablaze by some unidentified persons at Nungsai Tubung at around 9 pm yesterday.

The excavator and the bull dozer were parked at the courtyard of one Kamei Pumdai (48) when they were targeted by the unidentified persons.

The miscreants also fired at the diesel tank of the excavator.

Members of the family were already in bed when the heavy machinery were targeted.

The miscreants did not say a word before they opened fire and torched the two heavy machinery.

Some villagers who rushed in on seeing the fire were threatened by the armed persons not to make any attempt to douse the fire.

They also opened three rounds of shots before leaving the spot.

It was only after the armed persons left the scene that the villagers started fighting the fire.

The remains of the bull dozer

Despite all the efforts of the villagers, the excavator was burnt irretrievably.

As for the bull dozer, it was only the operator's seat which was burnt.

As the excavator was parked very close to the dwelling house, the villagers concentrated on protecting the house.

Altogether two excavators and a bull dozer were parked at the same courtyard but the miscreants spared one excavator.

The heavy machinery were hired by Hyderabad based Keystone Infra Pvt Ltd which is currently engaged in the road development work.

The distance between Joujangtek and Rengpang is around 69 Kms and the same section is being repaired/developed with Rs 92.25 crore provided by the North Eastern Council (NEC) .

NEC has sanctioned Rs 114 crore for development of the 50.40 Kms long road from Bishnupur to Tupul which includes certain portions of Old Cachar Road.

Development works of the two roads were launched together by Chief Minister O Ibobi on September 8 this year.

Meanwhile, Khoupum Area Village Authority Council (KAVAC), Zeliangrong Students' Union Khoupum Area, Khoupum Area Rongmei Lu Phuam and Khoupum Sub-Division Chiefs' Association have strongly condemned the arson.

Speaking to media persons at Nungsai village today, KAVAC secretary Chamdinmei Malangmei confided that they were hoping for reliable connectivity after many decades but such disruptive activities have turned out to be a serious setback.

The situation demands the civil populace to raise their voice instead of heaping all the responsibility on the private company or the Government.

Chamdinmei said that a public meeting would be convened soon to take a collective decision on such disruptive activities.

While appealing to all concerned to refrain from such disruptive activities in future, Chamdinmei asked which UG group was behind the arson and why they thought it necessary.

Meanwhile the information and publicity secretary of the NSCN (K) of Zeliangrong region, KD Gangmei has informed that they were not in any involved in the incident.

Gangmei said that the arson was carried out by a mobile team of the central team of NSCN (K) without the knowledge of the cadres of Zeliangrong region.