Four hurt in police firing, road work banned
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 28 2015:
Four civilians including a mother and her son have been injured when police opened fire at Somrei village near Yairipok Chandrakhong Mayai Keithel.
Following the incident, local villagers have banned construction of Thoubal-Kasom Khullen road.
According to information culled from the spot, the firing took place near the security barrack opened at the came site of Anupam Bridge Concrete Infrastructure (ABCI) Pvt Ltd a Somrei, Senapati district at around 7.30 pm yesterday.
The wounded victims have been identified as Shimreiwon Shinglai (30) w/o late Wungshungmi, her son Somikon (13), Ngallingam Keishing (15) s/o Aching and Ngashanghor (18) s/o Samson.
While the first three victims belong to Somrei village, the fourth victim hails from Alungtang, Ukhrul district headquarters.
Shimreiwon was hit by a bullet on the abdomen and she is undergoing treatment at Shija hospital while Ngallingam who sustained injuries on the right heel is being treated at RIMS.
Somikon and Ngashanghor too sustained injuries on the hand.
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Thoubal commandos stationed at the camp site thrashed one C Anando (44) who teaches at a school run by the Southern Tangkhul Naga Baptist Association (STNBA).
Taking strong exception to the physical assault, local villagers tried to storm the security barrack which prompted the commandos to open fire.
Even as a group of girls were dancing as a part of Christmas celebration in the evening of December 26, some commando personnel stationed at the camp site allegedly committed offences in inebriated condition.
Soon some villagers asked all the people gathered at the celebration through PA system not to behave in aggressive or offensive manner.
The commandos reacted by flashing their weapons and threatening villagers.
In the meantime, C Anando and a friend who were riding a scooter met with a road accident in front of STNBA High School last night.
A team of commandos arrived there and took Anando inside their Gypsy.
However, on approaching Somrei village, Anando was thrown out of the vehicle thereby seriously injuring him.
On learning about the offensive conduct of the commandos, local villagers tried to storm the security barrack.
The commandos responded by opening fire in which four civilians were wounded.
In addition, the commandos took away four other civilians who were set free only after thrashing them brutally, said a source.
The civilians who were taken into the custody of police commandos and physically assaulted have been identified as Chinaotung (50), Sophemphong (34), H Thashung (14) and S Leishangam (26) .
On the other hand, police personnel who have been guarding ABCI staff maintained that they were compelled to open fire as the villagers stormed the security barrack and inflicted injuries on post commander Arun.
After taking first aid at a nearby health centre, post commander Arun has been taken to Imphal for further treatment.
Meanwhile, a joint action committee has been constituted in connection with yesterday's incident and protest demonstration was staged today at the village.
Even as the protesters took out a rally towards the ABCI camp site, the agitating crowd were somehow quelled by SDPO Hemanta and the OC of Yairipok police station.
JAC secretary Ningathei Hungyo urged the Government to take up befitting action against all police personnel involved in opening fire and assaulting civilians.
Moreover, they should be pulled out from Somrei.
The Government should pay adequate compensation including medical bills incurred by the wounded victims.
Until and unless these demands are fulfilled, construction work of Thoubal-Kasom Khullen road would be banned, Ningathei Hungyo said.