Imphal, January 09: The year 2002, which has just passed by, held a special significance for all the people of Churachandpur for various reasons.

It was a year that saw the most violent and acrimonious election ever, a spurt in inter-UG rivalry, a crackdown on anti-socials by the Police and indeed, numerous cold blooded murders.

Intense conflict and clashes among the underground groups, especially among the Kuki groups marked the year.

At least 35 people died in clashes of various nature.

While a number of cadres belonging to various Kuki militant groups were killed in inter-rivalry, the year also marked a deepening of rivalry between different militant groups.

On June 2, six PREPAK cadres were shot dead by the ZRA militants in one of the deadliest clashes between UGs, at Aina village.

Numerous clashes were reported on the Jiribam side too.

Many civilians were caught in the cross-fire.

4 ZRA cadres were killed by the Assam Rifles at Songtal village on March 13 while the former were having meal, causing widespread outrage.

On September 23, KNA militants killed 3 UKLF men at Mata Lambulane village, charging them of trying to steal arms from them.

The 8th Assembly election held on Feb 21 will be remembered for a long time in our bitter memory die to the ferociousness of the contest.

All norms of civility were thrown to the wind.

The whole of Churachandpur was virtually divided into 2 camps.

Star campaigners like PA Sangma and Mani Shanker Ayer came and actively campaigned here.

In the violence during and after the election, lots of people were injured, many vehicles were damaged and one man lost his life.

The hangover haunts us till today.

The CCpur Police also cracked down hard on social crimes during the year by conducting frequent raids on gambling dens, drug dealers and pushers, video parlors and illegal liquor vendors.

But it hardly helped to contain the menace.

One policeman, SI Arun Singh was kidnapped and killed on June 26 by KNF militants.

There were lots of kidnapping cases last year.

On March 27, militants kidnapped and tortured 4 youths from Mata village, while they were having Choir practice.

On April 6, DIC General Manager H Kiran Singh was kidnapped but released the same day.

On April 11, Kuki militants held the passengers of a truck in the Tipaimukh line and released them only after intense negotiation.

The same thing happened to Mr Lienchungnung Gangte on August 27.

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