Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 01:
People of Andro village have come out strongly against the action of 32 Assam Rifles in using of civilians as mine sweepers and harassment meted out to the villagers.
In this connection, on behalf of the hapless scheduled caste villagers of Andro, three organisations, namely All Andro Youth Club Association, All Andro Meira Paibi Association and Eastern Scheduled Caste Students' Union have also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister O Ibobi this afternoon.
Addressing a press conference at Manipur Press Club here before submitting the memorandum, 56-year old Heikrujam Tullachandra of Andro Loupaochum, who was allegedly used by the Assam Rifles personnel as mine sweeper said he was coming home at around 2.30 pm on September 30 when the security personnel stopped him and asked to remove some twigs lying on the road side.
As he hesitated, the Assam Rifles personnel dragged him to the spot and forced him to remove the twigs under which there were two bombs, Tullachandra informed.
He said that he was also made to sit for more than half an hour just 100 metres away from the site of the bombs.
A group of young persons who were preparing food at a Loutangsang (farm hut) at Andro Sarakhei Lamyai after fishing from a nearby stream were also picked up by the AR personnel.
After detaining them in the custody for the night during which they were beaten up blue and black.
Later the innocent youths were handed over to the Yairipok police station the following day.
The identities of the persons who have suffered the brutalities of the AR personnel whole night are Chingakham Nabakishore (24) s/o late Hera of Andro Mamang Leikai, Puthem Tomba (27) s/o late Mukta of Andro Mamang Leikai, Salam Basanta (26) s/o late Purnachandra of Andro Mayai Leikai, Sagolsem Shyamsunder (12) s/o Hera Singh of Andro Chingdong Leikai., Phanjaobam Shyamjai (29) s/o Modhuchandra of Andro Khuman Leikai and Sagolsem Dharamukta (34) s/o Madhop of Andro Chumbra Leikai.
Among them, Shyamsunder is said to be reading in class VIII at Brighter Public School, Andro and Shyamjai a personnel of 2nd IRB.
Apart from taking photographed of them, they were also made to put their thumb impressions on some blank papers, informed the helpless victim.