Workers assaulted, wall vandalised
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 02 2011: Four workers engaged in building the compound wall of Maharaj Gambhir Singh Memorial Complex at Canchipur were assaulted brutally by some 5/6 armed persons at about 8.30 pm yesterday.

Not only that, the assailants also vandalised the southern wall of the memorial complex.

In connection with the incident, the workers have lodged a formal complaint at Singjamei police station.

The injured victims have been identified as W Manjit (mason) of Singjamei Makha Waikhom Leikai, sub-contractor Okram Santa of Lilong Chajing Mamang Leikai, Th Amuton of Singjamei Makha Sorokhaibam Leikai and H Kumar of Singjamei Oinam Thingel.

The wall construction work was being executed by Okram Santa as sub-contractor under one Ng Aunty.

Speaking to media persons at the work site today, Okram Santa said that contract for development of a part of the Maharaj Gambhir Singh Memorial complex including the northern brick wall and the platform for installing Gambhir Singh's statue was taken by one Sukhdev of Keishampat.

Some 5/6 armed persons including Sukdev himself came to the work site last night and entered the makeshift tent of the labourers who were then preparing their dinner.

Then Sukdev and his cohorts asked, "Why you are people doing PREPAK's contract ? Don't you have any other contract work than those taken by underground organisations ?" .

They also said that the contract work under execution was being disputed.

The next moment, Sukhdev and his cohorts tied the hands and legs of the four workers and forced them to lie on the ground.

Putting guns on their heads, the workers were thrashed using iron rods.

One of the injured workers showed bruises on his body.

Further, Sukdev and his cohorts vandalised the southern wall which was newly constructed for a length of about three feet.

Santa said that both his hands and legs were tied and thrown into a pit with an intention to kill him.

Mason Manjit strongly decried the assault on workers because of dispute between contractors.

MLA O Joy who came to assess the situation said that Sukdev has been unable to complete construction of northern wall and the platform for installing Gambhir Singh's statue after he drew bill in December last year.

He went on to question the identity of the armed followers of Sukdev who allegedly tried to kill the labourers.

He also asked if police have initiated any action against them.

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