Women bodies allege SF high-handedness
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 27 2012: Women activists and meira paibi organisations of Kumbi and nearby areas have threatened to launch intense agitation in case atrocities by both Central and State security forces against innocent civilians are not reined-in by the Government at the earliest.

Speaking to newspersons at Manipur Press Club today, representatives of Chairel Mangjil, Leingantabi and Khoijumantabi Meira Paibi Lups alleged that central forces and police commandos have unleashed terror at Kumbi and surrounding areas by randomly picking up innocent youths and demanding money for their release.

On behalf of the women bodies, one Ch Pramo Devi claimed that 17-year old Sorokhaibam Rajen s/o S Kuber of Khoijumantabi was picked up from home at around 10.30 pm of March 5 by a combined team of D Coy Assam Rifles stationed at Pangaltabi (Thoubal district) and commando personnel of Wangoo.

Inspite of the fact that Rajen was hustled away from his own bed at late night, the security forces handed over the same youth at a police station with the contention that he was arrested from another place and have recovered a weapon with two live rounds, recounted the woman activist who condemned such high-handedness by the security forces.

In another incident, one Ningombam Abungcha (25) s/o N Iboton Singh of Khoijumantabi Chairel Mangjil was rounded up on March 26 at a round 2.30 pm by troops of Pangaltabi Assam Rifles from the hill-lock of Khoijumantabi while cutting wood, informed Ch Pramo.

As the locals were witness to the arrest of Abungcha some people enquired at Kumbi police station only to be told that the police have no information about Abungcha.

Some days later it came to light that Abungcha had been handed over to Sugnu police station with the AR troops contending that he was apprehended from Wangoo Sandankhong area, she said while questioning why the youngster was not handed over to Kumbi police station in compliance with police jurisdiction.

Further informing that in the aftermath of such random arrest of youths there is apprehension among the populace to venture out of home thereby severely affecting livelihood of individual families, Pramo also disclosed that ever securing release of arrested innocent youths from police custody cost an individual family about Rs 20,000 which a poor family could hardly afford.

Besides financial burden incurred by the respective families in trying to secure release of their loved ones, locals who went to enquired were also subjected to severe thrashing and torture, she alleged and demanded that the Government of Manipur act immediately to punish the guilty security personnel failing which the local populace along with like minded bodies would be constrained to launch strong agitation.

Comment