Police spoils Christmas fever in Ukhrul
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Ukhrul, December 17, 2011:
In an act most uncalled for during the festive Christmas season, a police team led by SDPO Wungpam Kasar brutally assaulted the Naga student leaders along with firing several rounds in the air and lobbing tear gas shells against the innocent civilians in Ukhrul town on Saturday.
On Saturday at about 1.20pm, ANSAM general secretary Seth A Shatsang and TKS president Yangmi Khapai were physically assaulted and threatened with gunshots by SDPO Wungpam Kasar in front of the TKS office premises, which is located opposite to the mini secretariat complex in Ukhrul.
The police brutality, according to sources, was an offshoot of misunderstanding over the 1-hour curfew enforced from 12-1pm daily by ANSAM in all the Naga dominated districts.
This afternoon, the ANSAM volunteers reportedly asked the security personnel manning the mini secretariat to close the entrance gate during the curfew hour.
The ANSAM's diktat, sources said, probably infuriated the district administration and prompted Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul R.Sudhan to verbally issue an arrest order against the persons responsible for such action.
This was corroborated by TKS general secretary Mahirah Raihing, who informed this reporter after it held a meeting with Ukhrul DC.
SDPO Kasar, acting on DC's verbal arrest order, stormed the office chamber of TKS president with a posse of policemen and made an abortive attempt to arrest the ANSAM leader Seth, the move which was intervened and resisted by TKS activists.
The ANSAM activist was then asked to accompany the police to DC office.
But as they moved out of the office, Kasar rained blows upon Seth and Yangmi.
Kasar's highhandedness did not end there.
He whipped out his service revolver and fired at both the legs of the student leaders, but missed fortunately as the duo managed to duck the shots.
Eyewitnesses said the police officer even kicked and slapped the ANSAM leader despite the TKS activists appealing for calm in full public view.
The student activists along with their colleagues were surrounded by VDF personnel when Kasar behaved in such unruly manner and abused his power.
TKS general secretary Mahirah Raihing said that the VDF personnel pointed their rifles on their heads and threatened to shoot them.
Expectedly, the Christmas shoppers who usually swarmed the town during this season were rudely taken by surprise and began to gather at the site.
Police, fearing retaliation from the gathering crowd, fired several rounds in the air and lobbed tear gas canisters leaving many injured.
In the ensuing melee, one Excel Hongchui, 32, an innocent man from Phungcham village, was arrested and brutally assaulted by Inspector Hopeson Chiphang, Ukhrul Reserve Officer (RO) and SDPO Kasar.
Hongchui was rifle butted and beaten by the both the police officers and he sustained serious injury in the eye, legs and ribs.
He was rushed to District Hospital and has been advised to undergo for further medical treatment at Imphal.
On hearing the news of police brutality in Ukhrul this afternoon, the Naga student's body resorted to shutting down all government offices in the four Naga districts of the state.
Later, the TKS submitted a memo and held a meeting with the DC demanding suspension of Inspector Hopeson Chiphang, Ukhrul Reserve Officer (RO) and SDPO W.Kasar from service within 48 hours.
The TKS has strongly condemned the "bestial behaviour of the police officers".
It has also demanded that unfit police officials should never be given posting in Ukhrul district in future.
Further, the ANSAM and TKS warned of stern agitation in case the authorities fail to initiate actions and meet their demands within the given deadline.
Meanwhile, the public has strongly condemned the police action.
"The town is full of Christmas shoppers and such action from Police has shocked the public.
How could they (police) fire tear gas and gunshots randomly? They should have settled the misunderstanding through discussion.
The incident is totally uncalled for," said a 61-year old lady, Minthingla, who witnessed the entire police brutality.
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