Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 10:
Around 300 members of SHGs coming from Itham are to take part in a programme organised by People's Welfare Society (PWS), Yairipok yesterday were allegedly detained by unidentified person at Nongbram even as one PWS member was beaten up at gun point at Yairipok Yambem Bazar.
Addressing a hurriedly called press conference at Hotel Anand Continental here last night in connection with the incident, spokesman of PWS L Dogendra said that the SHG members who were coming in two buses and one jeep were detained by some persons at Nongbram stating that bandh was in force.
The unidentified persons who were allegedly blocking the road with burning of tyres and erecting wooden and bamboo barricades could not even spelled out who was imposing the bandh, sometime saying it was the local club, sometime the Gram Panchayat and sometime underground organisations, Dogendra informed.
On hearing the SHG members were being detained, Dogendra further informed, PWS member Moirangthem Ibomcha of Yambem had gone to seem them and while returning he was trying to make a telephone call from a PCO at Yairipok Yambem Bazar when one person identified as Thounaojam Shyamkumar thrashed Ibomcha at gun point while two other armed persons stood on guard, Dogendra alleged.
PWS general secretary Keisham Ningthemjao who was also present during the press conference strongly condemned not only assaulting the member of the Society but also illegal detention of the SHG members who came from far flung areas and using abusing languages on the women members.
Whether it is underground organisations, gram panchayat or the local clubs, whoever that is involved in the despicable act should give an explanation, he demanded.
One the other hand, Thounaojam Shyamkumar who is said to be not only a member of Andro BCC but also a social worker has denied the charges levelled against him as baseless.
Talking to reporters at his Uripok residence here today, Shyamkumar said the allegation of assaulting Ibomcha at gun-point was unfounded and baseless and intended to tarnish his image.
He clarified that he himself was at Yairipok Tulihal Mayai Leikai taking part in a closing function of a football tournament as chief guest when the alleged incident took place.
'The road block at Nongbram has also got nothing to do with me', he said, further denying the charges of his involvement along with two other armed persons in beating up Ibomcha.
All these is nothing but a dirty politics played and master planned by self style secretary of PWS Ningthemjao who also floated a body called Andro Kendra Ningthemjao Singh Election Committee, he countered.
Taking serious note of the false charges levelled against him, a joint meeting of the Andro Kendra Development Committee and BCC was held today and resolved to take up befitting legal action in this connection, he informed.