Morning walkers give a miss to Kangla
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 12 2013 :
Following the abduction and subsequent murder of a prominent businessman, traders and officials are reluctant to venture into Kangla Fort, which was once a favourite place for morning walkers.
The fact that plywood factory manager Shankarlal Swami (51) was abducted from inside Kangla fort, considered by many to be a secured place and friendly environment, and involved two security (IRB) in his abduction, the domain of rulers of the erstwhile independent kingdom is today one of the most isolated and frightful places in this trouble-torn State.
Ever since the Fort was opened to the public, it had been the preferred destination of rejuvenation for many from the business community and Government officials, as abundant greenery in the middle of the city and stationing of State security force personnel inside the Fort was considered to be the safest location for the morning walkers.
However, that concept has changed for many and was reflected by a Thangal Bazar trader who commented: "After Swami's murder, a fear psychosis has gripped the business community living in Imphal city (Paona and Thangal bazars) and to this effect, most of us have skipped our morning walk inside Kangla and city streets" .
Speaking on condition of anonymity, yet another testimony that huge presence of security personnel does not necessarily mean there is a secure environment, the trader said, "besides underground activists, now some members of the state force have joined in abduction and killing of people for ransom.
Upon their (state forces) involvement in the dreadful crime, we doubt their sincerely and our safety and security is at stake" .
Many others are also said to prefer safety of homes and have skipped their routine walk inside the high security Kangla as well as its surrounding Imphal city streets in the backdrop of four miscreants including the two IRB jawans abducting the manager from the fort and killing him for ransom about ten days back.
There is also tell-tale signs of sharp reduction in the number of morning walkers along Kanglapat road.
Even though Imphal areas have not been immune from incidents of abduction and killing for ransom by miscreants in the past few years, the Kangla incident, has probably been the most audacious criminal act as the area is also considered to be sacred.
Moreover, there have been some cases of attacking businessmen's houses with grenades for similar reason and involving state security personnel.
Shankarlal Swamy, who was from Rajasthan and temporally stayed at Thangal bazar was abducted from inside Kangla while he was jogging on the New Year morning and his lifeless body was found at a fish farm in Imphal West district the following day.
Two IRB jawans, posted at Kangla at the relevant time along with two other miscreants have been pulled up in connection with Swamy's killing.
A group of IRB personnel has been guarding Kangla fort since the Assam Rifles vacated the fort in 2004 .
Police's initial probe revealed that the two jawans taking advantage of their official position at Kangla fort had abducted Swamy for ransom.
The state government has already decided to hand over the case to the CBI.
Some local morning walkers commented that the number of non local traders and officials, who used to enjoy Kangla's serenity, have literally vanished from sight.