TAMENGLONG/UKHRUL: At least two persons were killed and three others injured in a tragic road accident along the Tamenglong–Mahur road on Saturday noon, while en route to Haflong to attend the Panmei Clan Memorial Stone Erection programme.
The deceased have been identified as Joy Panmei (54) of Wairangba village and Miusinreiyang Panmei (60) of Akhui village.
Those injured in the incident include T.P. Dinging (35), R.K. Reuben (59), and T.P. Rojanglung (76). Among them, R.K. Reuben reportedly sustained a collarbone fracture. All three injured were shifted to Tamenglong District Hospital later in the evening for treatment.
According to sources, the accident occurred between Azuram and the Makru River stretch, where a portion of the blacktopped road had earlier been washed away by a landslide. Vehicles were being diverted through a muddy stretch due to the damaged road condition.
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However, the washed-out portion reportedly lacked any warning signage or barricade such as stop signs, stones, or fencing. As the driver approached the damaged section—mistaking the visible blacktop on the opposite end as a continuous road—the vehicle was unable to halt in time after noticing the sudden cut-off, and plunged approximately 100 feet down.
Personnel of the Assam Rifles rushed to the spot, administered first aid, and transported both the injured and the deceased to Tamenglong.
In a show of community support, residents of Azuram village assisted in preparing coffins and traditional shawls for the deceased.
The road construction is reportedly under M/s Shri Swami Samarth Engineers, the Package 5 main contractor, with sub-contract work assigned to Zandu Company.
Meanwhile, the local MLA and Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong visited the injured at Tamenglong District Hospital this evening and conveyed their wishes for a speedy recovery.