Protestors demand withdrawal of AR
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 23 2023:
Decrying the act of torture and physical assault inflicted upon two men allegedly by the 22 Assam Rifles, womenfolk staged a sit-in protest at Awang Leikinthabi community hall demanding the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur.
The protest was organised by Koirengei Wangma Village Development Committee and Apunba Meira Paibi Lup and saw a large turnout of protestors from Wabagai, Leikinthabi, Leikinthabi Shantipur, Tingri, Koirengei, Kathi, Potsangbam Khunou and Maharabi.
Speaking by the sideline of the protest, Phijam Priyokumar, president, Koirengei Wangma Village Development Committee shared that a group of Meitei volunteers had set up camp in the vicinity of the sacred site of Nongpok Ningthou atop Leikinthabi Ching to be on the lookout for any Kuki militant attacks.
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On July 21, a Bolero and Tata Truck drove up to the camp to deliver essential items, eatables etc.
Parking the vehicles about 500 metres from the camp, the occupants all walked up the rest of the way to handover the essential items.
On their way back to the vehicles, they saw some well-armed uniformed men and all of them, including village volunteers, fled from the scene in a haste, said the president of the Committee.
Continuing on, he said that towards the evening of the same day, the people came to know that the uniformed men were personnel of the 22 Assam Rifles.
They also spoke with 22 Assam Rifles to retrieve the two vehicles left at Leikinthabi Ching.
The next day, on July 22, in an attempt to retrieve the vehicles, some people accompanied by the police and CRPF personnel climbed up the hill, he added.
Meanwhile, the owner of the Bolero, Pukhrambam Tomba alias John from Awang Wabagai, along with Ningthoujam Romison from Awang Leikinthabi drove up the hill in a two-wheeler after receiving a signal from the CRPF personnel that it was okay to proceed.
Once at the top, the two were reportedly detained by Assam Rifles personnel, blind folded, made to lie on their stomachs and then tortured and thrashed, Phijam Priyokumar continued to allege.
Maintaining that this incident is proof of the Assam Rifles' collusion with Kuki militants, he reasoned that if they had any suspicions about the two men they could have taken up actions as per the law.
He further shared that a complaint has been made at Sekmai Police Station to lodge an FIR against 22 Assam Rifles.
Notably, Pukhrambam Tomba is currently receiving treatment at Raj Medicity and is in a serious condition due to bleeding in his brain reportedly as a result of the physical assault.