Imphal, October 25: Just a few days back Hangun village in Thoubal district was teeming with activities but in the aftermath of the attack on the post of 5 Assam Rifles by unidentified gunmen in the evening of October 21, the village now wears a desolate look with many of the villagers having fled their homes for fear of reprisals.

The population of the village is about 3000.Many villagers were reportedly beaten up by the AR personnel.

Even today intense search operation is underway to ferret out the attackers.

The operation started yesterday.

All roads leading to the village have also been sealed off.

Reports received from the spot said the security personnel started house to house search from the night of October 21 following the UG attack on their post earlier in the evening.

The security personnel rained blows on the villagers and even women and children were not spared the ordeal, disclosed villagers who had managed to flee to nearby villages.

Hangun villagers who had fled their homes and taken shelter in relief camps at Mayang Imphal, Hiyanglam, Wabagai, Lamjao told a team of visiting reporters that even repeated pleas that the villagers were all innocent failed to move the security personnel.

Many were kicked, slapped and butted.

A number of villagers save for the old and aged have fled their homes fearing further reprisals.

The security personnel even put up barricades on the road to prevent the villagers from fleeing, they alleged.

Trees and logs were piled up in front of the AR post and near the Sekmaijin bridge.

Anyone attempting to cross the barricades were beaten up, they said.

Vehicles were not allowed to pass the barricades.

This happened on October 23.After sealing off the village the security personnel then started a fresh round of house-to-house search.

The operation is still underway.

The visiting reporters were not allowed to meet the post commander and were also not allowed to visit the village.

The Imphal-Wabagai road which runs just in front of the post was being dug up.

Trees and logs were piled up on the road.

One woman who lives near the post best summed up the unenviable plight of the villagers.

With a blank look on her face she said, "We are all suffering.

Innocent people like us are being mercilessly beaten up." State DGP AA Siddique said he is completely in the dark over the whole episode.

Advisor EN Rammohan who is also in charge of Home affairs, when contacted said that matters pertaining to Assam Rifles are not under his jurisdiction.

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