Chandel ADC members
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 04 2013 :
Alleging serious threat from certain quarters, a group of Chandel Autonomous District council members appealed to the State Government to take necessary measures for their protection.
Speaking on behalf of the ADC members at Manipur Press Club today Purum ADC constituency member MK Noah said due to some differences 13 members in the 26-member ADC were holding a camp at the Kongba Kshetri Leikai campus of Nature Care Centre where along with discussing further course of action against the ADC Chairman the members were also undertaking health rejuvenation programme.
based on misleading complaint filed by one Hopeson a team of Irilbung police station led by its OC arrived at the Centre on December 2 and accused that members of forcibly detaining Kangoi member of ADC namely DP Thomas.
With DP Thomas presenting himself before the OC and clarifying that he is attending the camp on his own volition the Irilbung police team left with his (Thomas) written statement, said Noah, also the spokesman of the dissenting group.
At around 7 pm the next day (Dec 3) some unknown persons arrived at the Centre and despite telling the ADC members that they came to meet DP Thomas about recruitment of chowkidar cum peon left with a stern warning against the members' further stay at the Centre, Noah said while claiming that the unknown persons even threatened to use fire arms if they (members) do not abide by their instruction to vacate the centre.
Soon after the unknown persons left, another police team under the Addl SP (IE) showed up at the Centre and insisted that the ADC members leave and hold their camp at Chandel district to which the members suggested that they be allowed to stay the night.
With the police officer not heeding the appeal the ADC members left the camp site and stayed the night with their respective relatives in Imphal areas, maintained Noah who also contended that due to threat from the NSCN (IM) they cannot risk returning to Chandel without adequate security protection.
Explaining that holding the camp as part of their political rebellion against the ADC Chandel Chairman Lhukhosei Zou is within the ambit of democratic practice, he also urged the Chief Minister, the Home Minister and DGP for adequate security measures.
Joining the media briefing, DP Thomas accused Hopeson of not only threatening him but also his family members.
Reiterating that he joined the camp on his own will and there is no question about his abducting as complained by Hopeson, he also expressed strong resentment against threat to the ADC members by armed groups and undesired conduct of uniform personnel.