Two vehicles (tata sumo and bolero) plying on the Imphal-Moreh section of NH-29 were torched by suspected militants late this evening, around 6.30 pm.

Confirming the report, police said that the Imphal-bound passenger service Tata Sumo vehicles coming from Moreh were set afire at a place located between Thamnapokpi and Bongyang on the NH-29.

The two vehicles, tata sumo (MN06L-0235) and bolero (MN04A-4461) were proceeding towards Imphal with passengers and goods from Moreh. The vehicles along with the goods totally reduced to ashes in the arson, the report said, adding that no casualty was reported to the drivers and passengers of the vehicles.

Police suspected that the combined team of two hill-based underground groups under ceasefire with government forces behind the arson act, allegedly in connection with non-payment of “tax” payable to them by the tata sumo vehicles plying on this section of the highway.

Quoting a highly reliable source, police said vehicles plying on this road had suspended their services few days back following threatens being received from the two groups for non-payment of “tax”. The source, however, refused to disclose the particulars of the outfits behind the arsons.