Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 10:
Strongly condemning the reported torture of innocent civilians by some underground cadres at Kangpokpi town at about 3 pm yesterday, the Zeliangrong Boudi (Senapati Zone) has demanded that the matter be treated and solved as per Zeliangrong customary law.
A press release issued by the ZB informed that one Somi of Thonglang and Benjamin Kamai were beaten to half-dead by the UG elements.
Calling for settlement of the matter at the earliest, the ZB cautioned that in case of any delay in solving the matter, the 'authorities of Kangpokpi' shall be held responsible for it.
In a similar press release, the Zeliangrong Students' Union, Senapati Zone demanded that the matter be settled within one week's time as per Zeliangrong customary law failing which Kangpokpi town authority shall be held responsible for any fall-out of the incident.
Decrying the act of atrocity committed by the militants on innocent civilians and use of abusive words on communal line, the student body also urged upon the Government to book the culprits and bring justice in the issue.
The ZSU alleged that church leader (Deacon) MK Somi s/o late Ngouni of Thonglang and driver Benjamin Kamai were blind-folded, dragged and hammered leaving them half-dead.
The ugly incident took place in the heart of Kangpokpi town where there was considerable presence of security personnel, it rued.
Coming out strongly against unwarranted assault on civilians, the Raenzang Women Society, Ngarian village has called upon all the people not to make or spread the issue as a case of communal or ethnic conflict.
Yet, it decried that none from the crowd of men and women of different ethnic groups of Kangpokpi Bazar standing around Benjamin bothered to intervene when he was beaten blue and black in front of their eyes and his (Benjamin's) uncle was shouting for help and mercy all the while.