Assam Rifles refutes news of assault on Awang Wabagai locals
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 25 2023:
Assam Rifles refuted the news published in 'The Sangai Express' on July 22 and 23, 'The People's Chronicles' and 'Imphal Free Press' on July 24 and on E-pao on July 25 regarding alleged torture of two Meitei persons belonging to Awang Wabagai by 22 Assam Rifles in Leikinthabi Nongpok Ningtho Hill on July 23 last.
As per a statement by the Assam Rifles, on July 19, 2023, due to continuous firing by armed miscreants towards the Phaileng Ridge, a joint team of Assam Rifle columns along with CRPF and Kangpokpi Police were deployed at the northern side of Ningthou Hill.
On seeing the security forces, the armed miscreants fired with automatic weapons on the security forces, which was responded in a calibrated manner with controlled fire, in self defense and for protection of civilians in the area.
Similar firing was carried out by the armed miscreants on the following two days of July 20 and 21, 2023 after which the armed miscreants fled the area.
On July 21, 2023, when the joint team of Assam Rifles and Kangpokpi Police carried out search operations in the area, a total of 15 bunkers and fired cases of lathode, two inch mortars and AK-47s were recovered.
While conducting aerial surveillance of the area, one truck and four wheeler were seen parked on the track leading to Ningthou Hill area from Awang Leikinthabi.
Assam Rifles personnel proceeded to check the two vehicles.
While moving to the area, two persons on a motorbike were found on the track near the vehicles.
When enquired, it was learnt that they had come to retrieve the two vehicles which were likely used by the armed miscreants.
Both persons were asked to prove their identity and Imphal West police was contacted in this regard.
Subsequently, on confirmation by Imphal West SP, a police party along with the CRPF team came to pick them up.
They were handed over to the police party.
One of the persons rode the motorbike while the other person drove the four wheeler back to the village.
Photos and videos were taken during handing over of the persons to maintain record as per procedure.
No harm was done to either of the two persons as alleged in the news article, Also, there are no admissions by name of Ningthoujan Romeson and Pukhrambam in Raj Medicity Hospital, Imphal as alleged in the news article of E-pao, added the statement by the Assam Rifles.
Assam Rifles went on to claim that the issue of Salai Teret flag is also false and baseless.
The Salai Taret flag was obtained from the local Meira Paibis during interaction with them after the firing incident of July 21, 2023 and was raised with due respect on the Ningthou Hill.
Assam Rifles expressed deep concern over the unverified and baseless reports by the media houses regarding assaulting two locals of Awang Wabagai and disrespect to the Salai Taret Flag.
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