TAMENGLONG, September 21: Unidentified persons set ablaze three vehicles at Tamenglong Bazar in front of SUI’s Hotel at around 12.45 am on Wednesday.
The vehicles were coming from Imphal and carrying artists and musical instruments for a function organized by Janghemlung Panmei (an aspiring candidate for Tamenlong 53 ST assembly constituency) which was scheduled to be held at Trinity Public School complex here today.
The vehicles two Bolero jeeps bearing registration nos. MNO4 A/5795, MNO3P/2323 both belonging to one Hijam Suresh of Wankhei and another Tata Safari MNOIK/ 6893 belonging to one Z Kikhonbou were totally burnt. Kikhoubou is also an aspiring candidate of Tamei A/C. Musical instruments costing more than Rs 3 lacs belonging to the artists, which were kept inside the vehicles, were also burnt in the blaze.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear as the attack occurred all of a sudden with the attackers fleeing from the scene soon after alighting the vehicles.
Meanwhile, the act of arson was strongly condemned by various civil organizations of Tamenglong district. A press meet was organized today evening at the Zeliangrong House, Apollo bazar Tamenglong and was attended by representatives of Zeliangrong Womens’ Union, Manipur, Zeliangrong Youth Front, Zeliangrong Students’Union (Tamenglong), Zeliangrong Elders’ Forum for Peace Broker and Zeliangrong Union (Tamenglong Zone).
The members present jointly voiced their condemnation of the wanton act of arson and appealed the individuals concerned or organization not to perpetrate similar actions in the future.
D Dikambui, co convener of Zeliangrong Elders for Peace Brokers said that the act may create confusion among the public.
“Since elections are nearby and three aspiring individuals are contesting the upcoming election, such acts may create a sense of alienation and unwanted incidents may crop up, we will investigate the matter and also inform the authorities concern to book the culprits”, he said.
During times of hardship, the public should refrain from spreading rumors which may disturb the communal harmony and further aggravate the issues, he added.
Meanwhile, a Newmai News Network report has stated that three vehicles were burnt and one vehicle pushed down into a gorge in Tamenglong district headquarters by unidentified persons last night.
It has also added that the Tamenglong Police have retrieved the charred vehicles from the spot near Sui Hotel in Tamenglong Bazar and a case has been registered in this connection.
No individuals or organizations have claimed responsibility for incidents.
“Regarding the Bolero jeep bearing registration number MN01X0206 belonged to the Humaliabou, vice chairman, ADC, Tamenglong was forcibly taken from the residence of one ADC member of Tamenglong and later found in a gorge 200 fts below the IT Road, 2 kms from Tamenglong police station” added the NNN report.
