AR beats up Selon villagers black & blue
KSO calls for peace under customary law
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 17 2012:
Personnel of 36 Assam Rifles allegedly beat up villagers of Selon in New Somtal area under Chandel district over the death of a non-Manipuri on February 14 last.
Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) has strongly condemned the act and pressed resolution of the matter in accordance to Kuki customary law.
The alleged beating up of the villagers by AR personnel took place on February 15 at around 1:30 pm at Selon Village, which is located in Dingpi area of New Somtal under Chandel district.
At least 17 women and 10 men reportedly sustained injuries in the action of Assam Rifles personnel.
Among the injured, the condition of four men and three women including two pregnant women is said to be serious.
They have been identified as Yangkhothang Vaite, Ngamkhojam Songdiom, Jangkholet Mate, Vahlam Khongsai, Deikhoting Haokip (pregnant), Nengneilheng Khongsai (pregnant) and Miss Hetkhimn Baite.
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Recounting the incident, one Sonamata, villager of Selon, told media persons, that Mangattan, who was a salesman in the canteen located in the Salan Unit Post of 36 AR was found brutally killed by another salesman identified as Joginder on February 14 at around 7:30 pm.
However, when the matter was reported to CO, Col, Ramakant Sharma, the names of four villagers namely Paokholet Haokip (40) s/o Jamjathang, Ngaminlun Mate (17) s/o Jamthon, Sonkhopao (18) s/o Thongkhosai and Tiljangam Haokip (18) s/o Thongkhosei given as the murderers.
Accordingly, the four innocent villagers were arrested from their respective houses late in the evening of that day.
The arrested villagers were detained at the camp of AR whole night and were preparing to be taken to Imphal the following day when a large number of villagers came to the post.
The villagers requested the AR personnel to let the parents of the arrested villagers meet them.
But the AR personnel not only refused the request but also subjected the villagers to severe thrashing.
In all 27 villagers were wounded in the action of the Assam Rifles personnel who even blocked the villagers from taking the injured to hospital.
Aggrieved over the conduct of Assam Rifles personnel, villagers of Selon have demanded removal of the AR post from the area.
KSO has also strongly condemned the incident and demanded the authority of AR to negotiate with the villagers so as to bring about an amicable solution in accordance to the Kuki customary laws.
If conciliation is not brought about at the earliest, KSO would be compelled to take recourse to various intense agitations, the student body warned.