Imphal: Two leaders of the Rongmei Naga community were killed and three others injured in a road accident on Manipur’s NH-137, reports stated on Sunday. The victims were en route to Haflong in Assam to attend the Panmei Clan Memorial Stone Erection programme.
The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon when the Gypsy they were travelling in plunged into a gorge along NH-137 between Azuram and the Makru area under Tousem sub-division of Manipur’s Tamenglong district, which shares borders with Assam and Nagaland.
The deceased have been identified as Miusinreiyang Panmei (60) of Chaengdai village and Joy Panmei (54) of Duilon village in Tamenglong district. They were the chairman and vice-president of the Rongmei Naga Youth Association, Manipur (Tamenglong Luangrian), respectively.
Those injured in the incident include T.P. Dinging (35), R.K. Reuben (59), and T.P. Rojanglung (76). R.K. Reuben reportedly suffered a collarbone fracture. All three injured were shifted to Tamenglong District Hospital for treatment. The Tribal Youth Council (TYCM), Manipur, condoled the incident and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, Manipur Police sought public help in identifying the body of a male found dead in front of the second gate of the Inter-State Bus Terminus in Imphal West district. The body is currently kept in the mortuary of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal.
Police said the cause of death is not yet known. A suo motu case has been registered at Imphal police station.
Security forces have intensified search operations and area domination in fringe and vulnerable areas across districts.
Movement of 142 vehicles carrying essential items along NH-37 has been ensured. Authorities have put strict security measures in place at vulnerable locations, and security convoys are being provided along sensitive stretches to ensure safe movement of vehicles.
A total of 115 naka/checkpoints have been set up across different districts of Manipur, in both hill and valley areas, and 32 individuals have been detained for violating curfew.