Tension spiralled into large-scale violence in Lumshnong on Sunday night after a youth was tragically died in a road accident involving a Star Cement truck, triggering a furious mob attack at the company premises. What began as a traffic accident swiftly escalated into chaos, with an armed mob torching as many as 15 trucks and vandalising company property.
Police in an official statement said that “one Road Traffic Accident has been reported at Star Cement premises where a local individual was tragically run over and died on the spot and the incident has led to agitation among the locals.” Immediately, officers and staff from Lumshnong Police Station were dispatched to the area and additional forces were deputed.
On reaching the spot, police learnt that earlier in the evening a Road Traffic Accident (RTA) had occurred near Wahiajer village along NH-06 involving a Star Cement truck and a Pick-up truck. “The Star Cement truck driven by a local, reportedly, fled the scene after the collision. The pickup truck, along with others pursued the cement truck upto the Star Cement premises.”
Upon arrival at the premises, “the Pick-up driver who is also a local, climbed onto the Star Cement truck and assaulted the driver and in an attempt to flee or drive forward, the cement truck ran over the Pick-up driver, who died on the spot.”
The incident sparked immediate outrage. “Approximately 300 individuals armed with daos and other weapons from nearby locality gathered at the Star Cement compound and started destroying the sentry post, CCTV equipment, and attacked the security guard.” The angry mob blocked police and emergency personnel from removing the deceased’s body, which was later managed and sent to Civil Hospital, Khliehriat.
“In few minutes, the said mob managed to set 14-15 trucks ablaze in the parking and in other premises of Star Cement,” police said adding the Fire tenders were urgently requisitioned, but responders also came under attack. “The said mob started attacking the Star Cement fire brigade personnel too and attempted to damage the fire tender.”
Police on ground tried to contain the escalating violence. “Police attempted to stop the crowd from burning down the fire tender and attacking security personnel, but the mob started attacking police personnel who were trying to control the situation and protect life and property,” The statement said.
Eventually, with the arrival of more reinforcements, the situation was brought under control. “The mob dispersed accordingly, and the fire was doused off,” Police said l.
Additional police forces have since been stationed at the premises, while administrative officers remain on high alert “to prevent further escalation.”
