Student unions, CSOs, Meira Paibis demand immediate removal of Commander AR, Salluk post
Source: The Sangai Express
Chandel, March 02 2019:
Anal Lenruwl Tangpi (Anal Naga Students' Union) Chakpikarong branch, Anal Sinnu Ruwl Chakpikarong branch and Meira Paibi Chakpikarong along with different CSOs organised a sit in protest at Chakpikarong Bazar today denouncing the alleged brutal assault and inhumane atrocities upon the inmates of Remnant Resort Rehabilitation Centre for Drug Addicts at Anal Khunou village in Chandel district, by Commander of 39 Assam Rifles Salluk post on February 24 .
Speaking to media persons, one of the protesters alleged that the Assam Rifles troops led by the Commander raided the rehabilitation centre without any provocation, physically tortured and used vulgar language to the inmates.
It is disheartening to learn that the Commander was allegedly in an intoxicated state when he started assaulting the inmates of the rehabilitation centre run by Women Society of Chakpikarong, maintained the protester.
The protester went on to allege that the Commander then tied the hands of the inmates (23 boys under rehabilitation and 2 caretakers) and forced them to walk till Salluk post, which is about 5 km and they were also forced to do push-ups and star jumps.
The inmates were beaten with a cane stick and forced to shout "I will respect Assam Rifles", the protester further alleged claiming that the Commander even threatened to shoot and bury the inmates.
Maintaining that the situation could have worsened if the Chakpikarong womenfolk had not intervened on time, the protester added that many inmates were hospitalised after the incident.
Remnant Resort Rehabilitation Centre for Drug Addicts, was established with the support of the locals with an objective to help addicts and such actions of the AR troops are condemnable, the protestor added.
Alleging that the Commander had an agenda to shut down the centre and create fear in the surrounding area, the protester appealed the higher authority of Assam Rifles to remove him from Salluk post immediately and depute a sensible officer.
Following the sit in protest, a protest rally was taken out from Chakpikarong Bazar to SDO/SDM office complex wherein a memorandum, addressed to Deputy Commissioner Chandel, was submitted to SDO/SDM Chakpikarong block.
The memorandum demanded immediate removal of the Commander of 39 Assam Rifles Salluk post before March 4, restriction of army personnel in and around the premises of private properties, army personnel or officers to seek permission from the respective village chief before any search operation.
It further urged to serve exemplary actions/punishment to army personnel if they are found harassing innocent civilians in Chakpikarong or in any areas of Chandel district.
The memorandum further appealed to provide a decent officer and relocate the present AR Salluk post.
It also demanded the Commander to cover all the expenses incurred for the victim's medical treatment, to respect and perform customary law towards the 23 victims immediately and also to plead guilty in front of the media.
ANSAM president Joseph Adani, CNPO president Paulhring Langhu, ATSUM finance secretary SR Andria, AISUC president Manahring Langhu and ANTA president Phamhring expressed strong opposition during the protest demonstration.
"Don't be enemy to hill people, Don't play with the sentiment of tribals, We don't want alcoholic officer, strongly opposed atrocities of Commander of 39 AR Salluk post, Let peace prevail in Chakpikarong, We want peace not atrocity, we want good and sensible officer, protect us not torture us" were written on the placards raised by the womenfolk and CSOs during the sit in protest.
During the course of the sit in protest, all the shops remained closed while all vehicular movement was put on halt, reports our correspondent.
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