Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 19 2009:
Villagers of Nongdum Tangkhul under Maphou police station in Ukhrul district had a narrow escape as wild bushfire suspected to have been set off by cadres of an armed group nearly engulfed their houses yesterday afternoon at around 4 .
Villagers told a team of reporters of observing some armed persons clad in combat dress coming from the direction of the neighbouring Molhang village setting fire to the dry woods/undergrowths before taking the Tangkhul Hundung by-pass road.
Along their way to Tangkhul Hundung road the armed cadres allegedly demanded money from labourers engaged in road construction work in the said area, according to the villagers who added that the timely dousing of the bushfire prevented collateral loss to the villagers.