Man tortured by Assam Rifles admitted in ICU
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 23 2023: Amidst growing discontentment against certain central forces over their alleged biasness in the ongoing crisis, two youths from Awang Wabagai have been admitted to Raj Medicity, with one of them in the ICU due to alleged torture by 22 Assam Rifles personnel after being blindfolded.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when the two went to Leikinthabi Nongpok Ningthou hill to retrieve two vehicles they had left behind upon sighting suspected Kuki militants.

Reportedly, they were apprehended, blindfolded, and subjected to torture by the 22 AR personnel before being released.

The youths are identified as Ningthoujam Romeson (31), son of N Hero, and Pukhram-bam John alias Tomba (35), son of the late Binoy, both from Awang Wabagai.

John suffered head injury after being struck with a rifle butt and is currently in the ICU at Raj Medicity; Imphal.

On the other hand, Romeson sustained assault injuries on various parts of his body, including his back, but has discharged after receiving first aid.

When questioned about the incident, an officer from Assam Rifles informed The People s Chronicle that there is no official report of such an event involving them.

In response to the incident and the alleged biased treatment, people of Koirengei, Nilakuthi, Mongjam, Maibakhul, Keikol, Potsangbam Khunou, Potsangbam Khu-llen, Awang Wabagai, Tin gri, Leikinthabi, Leikinthabi Shantipur and Maharabi, under the aegis of Koirengei Wangma Village Development Committee, an apex body representing 12 villages, staged a sit-in protest on Sunday.

The protestors demanded the removal of Assam Rifles and all central paramilitary forces that disregard the Meeteis as citizens of the country.

Committee president Phi-jam Priyokumar said that village volunteers are taking turns to stand guard at Leikinthabi Nongpok Ningthou hill and check advancing Kuki militants.

On Friday, the two went to the village outpost taking food for the village volunteers in two vehicles.

However, they spotted some armed persons in military uniforms in the area and they fled leaving behind their vehicles.

Out of fear, they could not verify whether the armed persons were AR personnel or Kuki militants.

As the unknown persons fired shots and used bombs towards them they ran for their lives.

Uncertain about the armed persons, they reported the situation to Lamsang MLA So-rokhaibam Rajen, who visited the village and contacted SP Imphal West with the latter explaining that area falls under the jurisdiction of Imphal West but there is no report of presence of any security forces in the area.

Later, the MLA contacted SP Kangpokpi, who conveyed that they were personnel of Assam Rifles.

After establishing communications among SPs of Kangpokpi & Imphal West and 22 Assam Rifles, the villagers were allowed to take back the vehicles they left.

Consequently, Romeson and John went to retrieve the vehicles after seeking permission from CRPF personnel deployed in the area.

However, upon reaching there, they saw AR personnel, who apprehended and tortured them after blindfolding, Priyokumar said.

While they were blindfold ed, one person threatened them in Hindi saying "Should we take you to Kangpokpi and get butchered," he said.

Doubting sincerity and commitment of the 22 AR in containing the violence, he said there is no other logical explanation for the torture and threatening words.

Even if AR denies aiding Kuki militants, the incident shows how they treat Meeteis as non-citizen of the country, he said while adding that such incidents only increases the suspicion people have against AR.

They were released after hours of torture only after police established communication with the Assam Rifles.

They came back with their clothes covered in dusts and bruise marks.

Later, in the night, John developed complications after he vomited due to head injury following which the two were rushed to CHC Koirengei, from where they were referred to Raj Medicity.

Now John is in the ICU and Assam Rifles shall be held responsible for any unwanted outcome, he said.

He further accused the 22 Assam Rifles of removing and desecrating Salai Taret flag hoisted at the sacred religious site of Nongpok Ningthou and it shows the biased nature of Assam Rifles towards Meeteis.

Condemning the atrocities of 22 Assam Rifles and their alleged nexus with Kuki militants as well as the torture of unarmed village volunteers, he said that a complaint against 22 AR will be filed at Sekmai police station.

A memorandum demanding removal of Assam Rifles and other central para military forces,, who could not see Meeteis as citizen of the country, will be submitted to the chief minister, he added.

He also reiterated their demand for deployment of state forces instead of central security forces in the area.

Raising the same demand, local Meira Paibi member Nongthombam Memcha warned of launching different forms of agitation if Assam Rifles is not removed from the area.

Protestors shouted slogans against AR atrocities on civilians, NRC implementation, revocation of SoO agreement, and protection of Manipur's territory among others.

Comment