Injured man refutes AR's 'clarification'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 27 2023:
Pukhrambam John alias Tomba has strongly rebuffed the clarification issued by Assam Rifles denying their involvement in the alleged torture and abuse of John and his friend Ningthoujam Romeson on July 22 .
Speaking to media persons during a press briefing this afternoon, Pukhrambam John who hails from Awang Wabagai and is currently bedridden due to his injuries, stated that he along with Romeson had gone up to Leikinthabi Ching to retrieve two vehicles, a Bolero and a Tata truck, which had been left behind the day before when a group of them had gone to deliver food items to the Meitei village volunteers at the sacred site of Nongpok Ningthou atop the hill on July 21 .
Reportedly, they were attacked with bombs and had thus fled leaving their vehicles behind.
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The next day, on July 22, when the duo reached the site where they left the vehicles, they were met by some persons who identified themselves as personnel of Assam Rifles.
They reportedly proceeded to beat up the two after blindfolding them and tying up their hands and feet, according to John.
Claiming that the alleged Assam Rifles' personnel beat them up mercilessly alongwith dealing them with very harsh words and threats of violence, he continued to recall that they were let go only after the 'personnel' received a phone call from some unknown person.
"The Assam Rifles personnel told us we were very lucky because the call came right before they were about to shoot us", Tomba continued to allege.
He further claimed that the alleged AR personnel used the word 'Kuki' in every alternate sentence, put seven bullets in his pocket while he was blindfolded and also threatened to kill/wipe out all Meiteis including CRPs and Commandos.
Further, refuting the claim made by Assam Rifles that there are no records of him being admitted to Raj Medicity, he furnished documents to the media persons reportedly showing that he was first treated at Rogi Kalyan Samiti, Awang Sekmai and then referred to Raj Medicity.