KNLF cadres run amok : 5 villagers, 6 labourers beaten up in Chandel
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Kakching, May 10 2015 : Following the alleged brutal assault of five villagers of Selhao including Village Chief and six labourers engaged in construction of PMGSY road, Selhao Villagers under Khengjoi Sub-Division in Chandel District fled from their homes since Saturday evening.

Two armed cadres of Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) allegedly beat up 5 villagers of Selhao and 6 labourers engaged in the construction work of 14.7 km long Inter Village Road in between Kemdo Lamkhai to Khengjoi under PMGSY Phase IX on Saturday at around 6.00 p.m.After receiving report about the incident, a team of Kuki Student's Organization (KSO) Khengjoi Block and former ADC member of Songjang Constituency Paokhosei Haokip along with a media team visited the Selhao villagers and the victims who took shelter at the outpost of 6 Dogra located in Kemdo on Sunday.

(L) Persons allegedly beaten up by KNLF cadres. (R) Women and Children who fled their villages

The assaulted villagers were identified as Seikhomang Haokip (27), son of (L) Jamkhotil Haokip, Chief of Selhao; Seichon Haokip (30), son of (L) Onthang Haokip; Lunsei Haokip (35) S/o Thangsat Haokip; Lunkhosat Haokip (29), son of Thangsat Haokip; Jamkhongam Haokip (38), son of (L) Limsei Haokip.

While the labourers assaulted by KNLF were identified as Sh Subash (44) of Keirao Wangkhem (Work Supervisor), JCB Driver Kh Subash (30), son of Kh Ibo of Wabagai, JCB Driver S Herojit (19), son of Kanhai of Nongmaikhong, JCB Driver Salam Romesh (28), son of Thoiba, JCB 2nd Driver Chungkham Naoba (20), son of Ibohal of Sekmaijing According to the Victims, two armed cadres of Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) brutally assaulted them (5 JCB Drivers and a villager) near Selhao Village after returning from work site by 4 JCB Excavators at around 6 p.m.last night.

And they also assaulted other 4 Villagers and a work supervisor who came to search the JCB drivers for arriving late without any provocation.

After being beaten up black and blue by using woods, the armed cadres also threatened to kill all the villagers if they inform the army or the media persons about the incident.

Fearing the reprisal of the armed outfit, the Villagers fled their home along with the labourers and took shelter at the Out Post of 6 Dogra located at Kemdo.

The Officers and personnel of 6 Dogra provide first aid treatment to all the assaulted individuals besides providing shelter and food for the villagers till Sunday morning.

The visiting team, after interacting with the Villagers, made temporary arrangement to accommodate the villagers at Khangbarol BDO Office as the Villagers were refused to return the village.

Speaking to the media persons, Seikhomang Haokip, Chief of Sehao who is also the Vice-President of KSO Khengjoi Block said that the incident was not the first atrocity meted out by KNLF Cadres upon the Villagers.

There is an incident in the past where cadres of the armed outfit indiscriminately fired several rounds in the village creating fear psychosis among the villagers particularly the women and children, he added.

Moreover, the cadres of the outfit also kidnapped one labourer who engaged in the construction of the PMGSY road from the village on April 22 last but the kidnapped labourer managed to escape from his captors beside another incident of torturing a Shaktiman Driver some days back.

Since the said armed outfit established their designated camp at Semol, the Villagers of the area particularly the Sehao villagers can't settle in peacefully, alleged the Village Chief.

While appealing the authority to shift the KNLF camp from the area, Seikhomang Haokip said that the villagers will not return to their home until and unless the authority shifted the cadres of KNLF from their Semol designated camp.

Strongly condemning the action of the KNLF cadres, Paokhosei Haokip who is also the Chief of New Songjang Village said such mindless action and atrocities of KNLF upon the innocent villagers and labourers should be condemn by all.

He also expressed gratitude to the 6 Dogra for providing assistance to the villagers, besides appealing the concern authority to shift the KNLF designated camp from Semol in the interest of the villagers of the area.