Protest staged
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 26 2011:
Protesting against the arrest of 'innocent' persons on alleged charge of having linked with UG groups earlier by troops of 19 Sikh Regiment, a Wakat Meepham was staged at Chingamakha Chanam Pukhri Mapal today.
50-year old Thangjam Gojen and 26-year old Oinam Setha, both residents of Chanam Pukhri Mapal, have been reportedly arrested from their respective houses last night by troops of 18 Sikh Regiment from their respective houses.
On May 22, the troops of the same Regiment also reportedly arrested one Irom Somendro (35) of Chingamakha Ahongsangbam Leikai.
According to the local residents, who participated in the protest demonstration, Gojen was a member of RPF/PLA around 20 years back.
But today he is a manual labourer trying to eke out a living.
Similarly, Setha had connection with PREPAK earlier but not any more.
Somendro was also a member of RPF/PLA around 14 years back.
But today he is engaged in selling water for survival.
Even if they had connection with UG groups in the past, all three of them have joined the mainstream, one of the protestors contended, adding that security forces should not cause any more difficulties to the former militants who have come to the mainstream.