Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 04:
In the aftermath of the September 30 ambush laid by PREPAK on 21 Assam Rifles at Umathel which left one personnel killed while another injured, people of Waikhong and Umathel area under Waikhong Police Station have not been able to venture out after sunset with incensed AR personnel beating up any person they came across and police personnel not able to protect the people.
Talking to a media team which had gone to Waikhong today, people of the area informed that none of them dare to go out of their houses after sunset for fear of reprisal from the AR personnel on one hand and the failure of the Waikhong PS to come to their rescue on the other.
As Waikhong PS does not have enough manpower, it is said, none of its personnel can be deployed in the area during night time.
When contacted, the PRO of Assam Rifles Col Pant said that the CO of 21 Assam Rifles has been instructed not to take things into their own hands but to contact the police if anyone steps out of line.
The CO has been asked by the AR authority to take the matter to the police if some one does not behave, said the PRO and added that it is best to remove all misunderstanding between the civil population and the AR personnel.
When the media team visited, the police station was found being guarded by one SI, who is discharging his duty as the OC, along with two Constables and two Home Guard personnel.
With only five of them in the police station, they could not go out on night duty.
Moreover, while the personnel of the 21 Assam Rifles are putting up at the building of the police station newly constructed by the Government, the police personnel are found living in a worn out quarters of the PWD.
The police station also do not have any weapon, wireless set or vehicle.
Meanwhile, according to information received by the press, suspected under-ground activists of the proscribed PREPAK opened fire at a bullet proof vehicle Casper of Assam Rifles at around 12.15 pm yesterday at Lamjao leading to exchange of firing between the two parties for sometime.
However, there is no report of any casualty in the incident.