Bitiang VA denies, clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 21 2013 :
Bitiang (Laphok) Village Authority, Tamenglong district has denied harassment of any of its villager by the Army posted at Lamdangmei so far and said instead the army maintained cordial relation with the VA, Church leaders and villagers.
Rather, the army rendered various welfare measures for the are like providing free medical treatment, extending CSD facility and encouraging students by organising study tour for students.
Referring to the allegation levelled against the Army by Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) which appeared in this paper on Sept 20 issue under the head Torture slur on Army on page 8, the Betiang (Laphok) VA chairman, M Kanamsm strongly refuted the ZYF allegation.
It clarified that the two villagers namely Tanthailung Malangmei (27) and Phungangam Malangmei (25) were taken into the custody of 10 AR Noney for questioning.
The VA chairman said that it was regrettable that the ZYF did not seek facts from the affected victims or family members.
As the ZYF statement lacked enough ingredients over the claim.
Further, the VA appealed all concerned civil society organisations not to provoke anything in connection with the incident.