Imphal, August 20 2009: Incensed with the detention of 11 year old Salam Bidyarani by police from August 14 till August 18, a number of women folk representing the JAC Against the Arrest of School Child, S Bidyarani, gathered and tried to proceed to the residence of the Chief Minister to submit a memorandum and lodge a complaint.

The womenfolk were however stopped by the police near Kalimai and stopped fro proceeding further.

The JAC members arrived at Imphal in two buses and after gathering at Keishampat, tried to proceed towards the residence of the Chief Minister.

The women folk, stealthily passed through Keishampat, Keishamthong and Moirangkhom, in batches and again gathered near Kalimai.

They were however stopped by the police from proceeding further.

Meanwhile, though the SSP of Imphal West District yesterday announced, that the operation launched by a combined force of Imphal West Police Commandos and personnel of 12 Maratha Light Infantry in Sekmaijing and Nongmaikhong area since August 14, has concluded, the local residents of Nongmaikhong Mayai Leikai have not resumed their normal life, due to fear and uncertainty.

Apart from subjecting them to various threats and harsh words by the security personnel, during the operation, the local residents have not been able to come to terms with the detention of 11-year old school girl Bidyarani in the custody of Mayang Imphal Police Station for five days, and the arrest of her parents on alleged charge of having nexus with UGs.

Uncertainty of what the State actors and the non-State actors would do after the operation is also weighing heavily on the mind of the people.

With the recent operation coming even before the villagers, who are mostly fishermen and farmers, could recover from the loss suffered during the Operation Summer Storm of the Army in April last, restriction imposed on their movement for fishing or cultivation activities for almost a week was an added burden.

Talking to The Sangai Express, a 45-year old woman resident of Nongmaikhong Mayai Leikai said caught in between the conflict of the State actor and the non-State actors, the people of the area have suffered a lot.

While the security forces threatened the people against giving any sort of assistance to the UGs, the latter forced upon the people to feed them and hide their arms.

Summing up the predicament of the people, a 50-year old local Meira Paibi said, 'There is fear and intimidation all around us that we do not know whether we should fear the security personnel or the UGs'.

Inspite of all these sufferings, the villagers have pledged to carry on fighting for justice to Bidyarani and her parents.

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