KLA men thrashed for extortion bid
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 07, 2012:
Four cadres of Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), a suspension of operation signatory with both the State and Central Governments, have reportedly been thrashed by Moirang Purel locals while the four were allegedly extorting money at the village, located under Lamlai police station in Imphal East district.
The thrashing reportedly took place at around noon today.
A group of media persons who reached Moirang Purel, was told by the locals that KLA cadres used to frequently show up at the area and forcibly collect money from quarry owners and truck drivers/owners.
At the beginning of the new year some KLA activists asked the quarry owners to collect money from each and every truck owners and hand-over the collected amount to them (KLA) within January 15, which was not complied with, said the locals who contended that about 2/3 days back KLA cadres approached truck owners personally at their respective residences in Itham and Moirang Purel areas to collect money.
With the peeved locals and truck owners deciding that there would be no further compliance to monetary demands of the outfit and subsequently maintaining vigil at the villages, four unarmed KLA cadres but attired in combat uniforms (camouflage) were seen coming to the area on two bicycles.
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With the womenfolk clanking electric poles to alert the locals on the situation and the number of people consequently increasing the four cadres were overpowered and man-handled by the mob, narrated the villagers.
Upon seeing the commotion a team of 13 Bn BSF arrived at the spot to whom the four were handed over.
Moments later troops of 23 Assam Rifles also reportedly came to the place.
Inspite of the four informing the security force personnel that they had come to the area to hire a truck, some among the villagers produced money receipts of KLA consequently resulting in the BSF personnel taking away the four for handing over to Lamlai police.
The four arrested KLA cadres have been identified as Haopu (24) of Chaningpokpi, Helin (23) and Mangthang (17), both from Aigejang village and Sanboi Sonpo (35) from Bongyang.