Heirok bodies demand security
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 12 2013 :
After seven youngsters allegedly ran back from an Assam Rifles camp on realising that they were being misled to present them as surrenderees of KYKL-MDF, several organisations based at Heirok have demanded the State Government to give a concrete assurance for security of the seven youngsters.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, People's Organisation for Civic Integrity and Liberty (POCIL) secretary Mandir Laishram said that the seven youngsters were subjected to brief questioning yesterday afternoon by some men in uniform who claimed to be personnel of Naga Regiment but their vehicles were embossed with Assam Rifles logo.
"We do not mean Assam Rifles or army cannot come and question the youngsters.
But yesterday's incident was suspicious and condemnable for no prior information was given to either the BSF post located at Heirok itself or the SPO or VDF post" , Mandir said.
The men in uniform who came in two Gypsy's and a mini-truck led by one Deputy Commandant asked for Moirangthem Oken.
They asked the boy to lead them to the house of Gambhir Singh, husband of Purnima who took the seven youngsters to Assam Rifles camp.
After Oken, they came to Thokchom Milan for further questioning.
But they left the place on seeing people coming out from all directions.
Because of the unprovoked interference by the men in uniform, the seven youngsters now feel very insecure.
The act of the men in uniform was not targeting the seven youngsters alone, it was targeting all the people of Heirok, Mandir said.
Even if Assam Rifles or Army want to question the boys for their enquiry, they may do so in public after fixing a date and giving due information in advance, he added.
POCIL president Kh Ibomcha while denouncing the statement issued by Hqs IG AR (S) in connection with the incident, termed it unfortunate that the statement tried to project the people of Heirok as following diktat of some elements.
Whether it is security forces or UG cadres, no one has the right to do wrong things in Heirok.
Ibomcha also reminded about the massive and sustained Heirok people's movement against UG groups in 2008 .
Demanding exemplary punishment of all those involved in misleading the seven youngsters, Ibomcha demanded concrete assurance from the State Government for security of the youngsters.