KSO condemns 'excesses' by forces in Kholmunlen village
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 01 2016:
The KSO General Headquarters has condemned the security force's alleged excesses on innocent villagers in the aftermath of the bomb attack at a place between Kholmunlen and Rana Top 21 AR camp in Sajiktampak, Chandel district, on November 26, for which RPF/PLA has claimed responsibility.
Personnel of 21 Para (Special Forces) under the command of Major Prasant picked up 5 villagers of Kholmunlen village including the acting chief of the village and took them to the site of the attack where they were allegedly subjected to violence.
The villagers were allegedly forced to crawl uphill on their belly and were made to stare at the sun.
The forces allegedly punished for blinking.
Later, they were soaked in ice cold water and then beaten black and blue.
The Major and his men also allegedly pulled down 5 woodcutters from a Shaktiman truck and forced them to search for buried bombs.
They were allegedly tortured and mercilessly beaten.
Strongly condemning the alleged excesses carried out by the security forces, the KSO said whenever the security forces fail to apprehend the real culprits behind a crime, they take out their anger on innocent civilians.
This is outright cowardice, they said.
The same 21 paratroopers were allegedly responsible for the death of Lalchoilo Neihsiel, son of the chief of Lenglong village in Tamenglong district in a fake encounter with ZUF cadres on April 13 .
KSO will take up this case with the National Human Rights Commission against Major Prasant.
The villagers who had borne the brunt of the acts were, Tintong Haokip (acting chief of Kholmunlen), Paominlun, Thangchungnung, Kamgoumang and Manglun.
The five Shaktiman (truck) workers from Chahkap village were, Lalsat, Khamlun, Letkhogin and Ngamgoulen, KSO informed in a statement.