Houses of good samaritans vandalised
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 30 2023: In an abhorrent incident, a mob vandalised at least three houses and shops at Waikhong in Kakching district last night and took away cash and gold ornaments.

It is said that the owners of the ill-fated houses, all women, have been taking active part in guarding their villages since May after the ethnic clash between two sections of people broke out.

According to the victims and locals of Waikhong, the incident took place last night after a mob was formed based on groundless reports.

Speaking to media persons, one Huirem Bimola said that the Officer-in-Charge of Waikhong police station sought assistance from the local meira paibi to take some ailing Assam Rifles (AR) personnel posted at Waikhong to the post of 37 Assam Post at Pangaltabi recently.

Saying that they initially rejected the request of the police officer as the paramilitary force wasn't trusted by the people, she said that the Officer-in-Charge convinced them that one of the ailing Assam Rifles was a Naga from Senapati and if he happens to die due to obstruction by the meira paibis then there may be tension.

She then said that they later agreed to the proposal and helped in taking the Assam Rifles personnel to the 37 AR post at Pangaltabi.

The second OC of Waikhong police again requested to take some more ailing AR personnel to the 37 AR post at Pangaltabi yesterday, she said and added that some women of Waikhong along with Waikhong police agreed and prepared to evacuate the AR personnel.

However, as many bulletproof vehicles and trucks of AR also came along with the vehicles with the ailing personnel, the women of Waikhong moved ahead and informed the meira paibi of Kakching Khunou about the development, she narrated and added that the convoy of Assam Rifles was made to return to their post.

Claiming that some people started accusing the women who aided a group of Assam Rifles including a Naga of taking bribe from the paramilitary force to not disclose the alleged supply of arms to Kuki militants, Bimola said that a mob was formed based on the allegation.

The mob then vandalised two shops at Waikhong Leima Manai Bazar last night at around 8.30.Saying they along with local volunteers clarified about the incident using a loudspeaker, she claimed that the mob coming from different direction didn't respond to their clarification and vandalised the houses of the three women who aided the AR in evacuating their ailing personnel at Waikhong Ningthou Manai Mamang Leikai and Waikhong Leima Manai Maning Leikai.

She claimed that gold, cash and other valuables have been taken by some people from among the mob.

Claiming that they didn't accept any bribe money from the Assam Rifles, she appealed to the people of Manipur to help in uncovering the truth.

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