NH 39 blocked over killing
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 23 2009:
Villagers of Nongbram village in Thoubal district who thrashed to death two persons following indiscriminate firing by a group of armed cadres belonging to a Kuki militant outfit which left three village women injured, fled their village out of fear for the return of the armed militants who reportedly threatened to take revenge.
On the other hand, residents of Keithelmanbi in Senapati district blocked traffic along the Imphal-Mao section of the NH-39 today protesting the killing of the two youths, one of whom was a resident of the village.
Hundreds of vehicles including inter-state buses coming from Mao side were stranded midway before reaching Keithelmanbi reports said.
Yesterday three women of Nongbram village sustained bullet injuries when armed cadres of Kuki National Front (KNF-P), presently maintaining ceasefire with the government forces, fired indiscriminately at the crowds who were attending a meeting of the villagers discussing extortion demands by the outfit from the villagers in various forms as 'tax'.
The KNF-P is one of the 18 Kuki armed outfits maintaining ceasefire with the security forces under the tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO).
Yesterday's unfortunate incidents occurred at about 1.30 pm.
The meeting was held by blocking the road connecting the village with Yairipok.
The three women namely, Mema, Memcha and Maloti were immediately taken to RIMS Hospital here.
As the condition of one of the women became serious, she has been referred to Shija Hospitals today.
Angered by the firing, the villagers chased the armed cadres, most of whom were in combat dress.
The villagers caught two of them in civil dress and thrashed them.
The two died before a team of Thoubal district police led by Senior SP, Clay Khongsai reached there.
The escaping armed cadres also engaged in gunfight with the IRB men posted at New Kethelmanbi at about 4.30 pm.
The gunfight lasted for about 20 minutes.
No casualty was reported on both sides.
Fearing of return of the armed cadres, the residents left their village late last night and were taking shelter at the house of the circle MLA, Th Shyamkumar at Andro.
Around 100 of them were taking refuge at the MLA's residence.
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A meeting was convened by the villagers.
They submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, O Ibobi later this afternoon urging him to provide security for protection from harassments likely to be meted out by the armed cadres.
The villagers of adjoining villages like Etham and Nungoipokpi came to submit memorandum to the Chief Minister, but were blocked by police at Irilbung.
However, some reprsentatives were allowed to proceed.
The villagers were demanding opening of security posts in the areas for safeguarding them.
They said that the militants who were maintaining ceasefire with the government are extorting money from the villagers for collecting sand and stones, apart from vehicles plying the road to Nongbram village.
They also harassed drivers and handymen too, the villagers said.
Meanwhile, residents of Keithelmanbi in Senapati district imposed total blockade along the Imphal-Mao section of the NH-39 stating that one of the slain youths identified as Paotelal Chongloi (20), son of Chongkhothang Chongloi was an innocent resident of Keithelmanbi and not a militant.
The other slain youth was identified as Paoshat Kipgen (23), son of P Lhunkhojang of Vengnom village of Senapati district.
The protesting residents said, both of them were students of Goodwill College, Shillong.
They had come home for Christmas vacation.
The sudden imposition of blockade force-stranded hundreds of vehicles midway on the stretch between Changoubung and Mao.
Over 120 oil tankers waiting for security escort at Mao could not proceed further as the IRB personnel who left Imphal this morning to escort them could not cross the blockaded area due to heavy piling of stones and protestors on the road.
Over 130 loaded trucks along with 20 inter-state buses heading towards Imphal with passengers from Dimapur side this morning also got stranded at Changoubung before reaching Keithelmanbi, police report here said.
Lifting of the indefinite blockade could not be ascertained as talks between the protestors and the government under the initiative of the Kuki Students' Organisation this afternoon at the Chief Minister's office failed to arrive at an agreement.
IFCD Minister, N Biren who is also spokesperson of the SPF government, Tribal Development Minister, DD Thaisii, MLA Thangminlen Kipgen and MLA Th Lokeshwor rushed to the spot for talks with the protesting villagers and end the highway blockade but could not arrive at an agreement.
The villagers are demanding booking of the culprits and threatened to block the road if the government authorities do not translate their demand into action within December 31 .
If not, they will block the road indefinitely.
The Naga People's Organisation, Senapati District termed the incident as an unfortunate one.
Its president, M Dilii talking to Hueiyen Lanpao urged the government to negotiate and bring an amicable solution with both sides at the earliest.