Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 24:
Even as the people of Manipur are demanding the complete revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, reports have come in that Assam Rifles personnel have been forcing some villagers of Khundrakpam Assembly Constituency to paste the telephone number of the Assam Rifles on houses, electric posts and passenger buses.
The villagers have also been forced to mug up the telephone number by the Assam Rifles as well.
This was disclosed by the villagers when a team of media persons went there on receiving reports that personnel of 4 Assam Rifles have been embarking on such an exercise within their jurisdiction.
The telephone number which the villagers have been forced to paste on houses, electric posts and passenger buses is AR 4 Bn-2572204.The villagers have also been asked to memorise the telephone number, they alleged and added that the security personnel have even threatened them with dire consequences if their diktats are not obeyed.
The 4th Assam Rifles is stationed at Sagolmang.
The villagers said that the real motive behind the exercise taken up by the AR personnel is to inform them (AR) if the villagers come to know of any attack being planned or of any bombs being planted to attack the AR men.
Not surprisingly, all the villagers irrespective of their ages have memorised the telephone number and the visiting media persons saw the number being pasted on houses, electric posts and passenger buses.