Phayeng body alleges
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 24 2016:
Four villagers of Phayeng were allegedly thrashed by a group of people who identified themselves as cadres of KRA.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Chakpa Phayeng Land and Water Resources Conservation Committee convenor Angom Jiten said that four villagers of Phayeng were returning home after offering prayers at Ingourok when they were stopped and physically assaulted by alleged KRA cadres at Kangchup Chingkhong at around 7.30 pm of May 22 .
The victims are Angom Jiban (34) s/o Gouramani of Phayeng Kharang, Ningthoujam Tomba (34) s/o Nilachandra of Phayeng Umang Leikai, Ningthoujam Rakesh (33) s/o late Chandra of Phayeng Mayai Leikai and Angom Gouro (32) s/o L Tonu of Phayeng Awang Leikai.
The assailants who identified themselves as KRA cadres were armed with machetes, clubs and stones and they
numbered around 10 .
The victims could somehow flee and thus save their own lives, Jiten said.
The same night, people of Phayeng gathered together, held a meeting and started marching towards the hills but they were scattered by police who fired tear gas shells and mock bombs.
Before this, Phayeng Gram Panchayat Pradhan sent a missive to the assailants seeking for an amicable settlement but there was no positive response.
Moreover, the OC of Singda police outpost spoke in such manner which looked like he was condoning the assailants.
Although Phayeng villagers remained silent the next day, some sections of the media reported that Phayeng villagers vandalised some houses of Kangchup Chingkhong.
Phayeng people have no ill-feelings against any neighbouring community, Jiten said.
The incident may have been caused by communication gap and lack of interaction between Phayeng and neighbouring communities.
The number of Khongjai villages have increased considerably and many residents of these villages don't understand Meiteilon.
It is up to the Government to trace the original place of those people who do not speak Meiteilon.
Rampant lumbering has also led to water scarcity in the area.
It is said that one Minister was instrumental in establishing new hamlets at Kangchup Chingkhong with the sole objective of maintaining a reliable vote bank.
If this is true, it is something which can ignite confrontation between neighbouring communities, Jiten added.