Ukhrul, August 16 2009: Thousands of womenfolk from the district Hqs marched upto Shangshak post of 23 Assam Rifles yesterday, demanding free passage of the public to Shakok and its adjoining villages, the main road of which has been sealed since five days back, after the alleged shoot-out between IM men and AR troops on August 12 .

The womenfolk were led by Tangkhul Shinao Long (TSL), Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL), Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL) and representatives from TNL, NPMHR, TAZKL and HKL, who all came from the district Hqs in 8 buses and over 35 jeeps (Boleros) and Tata Sumos.

They reached Shangshak, 38 kms from the district Hqs, at around 3.20 pm and attempted to storm the 23 AR post there.

The womenfolk demanded free passage for all the people and gathered there.

However, the CO of the AR post, Col SS Bhogal refused free passage to all the people citing security reasons.

He maintained that some few groups of people may cross the gate but not all as demanded by the crowd.

After about 2 hours of negotiation, CO finally acceded to the people's demand for free passage for all.

The womenfolk finally reached the villages at around 6 pm after a bumpy ride.

From Phalang village, the team was divided into three groups and proceeded to the adjoining villages of Goda, Laushing, Shakok and Phungyar and put up the night at the villages to show solidarity to the villagers.

Interacting with media persons at Shakok, the village authority, Solomon Keishing stated that on the day of the shoot-out which started at around 8 in the morning near the village notice board, the sudden gun fire made the villagers panicky.

He said that the villagers heard around 2 to 3 rounds of gun shots at first and after some time, bombs and 2 inch mortar explosions shook the village.

When queried about the alleged shot out between the IM and AR, the villagers said that no one noticed presence of any of the party in the village until the sudden gun shot which seemed to be coming from only one side.

When asked if any villagers got hurt or injured on the incident they said that out of fear, around 30 mens from the village of 38 to 40 households with a population of over 280 headed for Phungyar 12 Km from the village (Shakok) in a Shaktiman truck but when they reached Alang Village Lamkhai 2 km away from the village, AR jawans stopped the vehicle and detained all the male occupants for 2 hours ordering them to lift up their hands in the air.

They were allowed to proceed to Phungyar only after the intervention of SDO Phungyar sub-division, Peter.

When ask if there was any harassment to the villagers by the AR, they inform that no one was harassed inside the village but due to fear of its reburcation everyone in the village stay indoor without attending their paddy filed which is their main occupation saying that the consequence of staying away from the paddy even a single day could be imagine as their standing crops would be destroyed by the mice and the birds.

The villagers further appeal the authority concern to shift the AR away from the village as there is a deep apprehension and fear on the children and the womens of the village, it alleged.

Earlier, in the day deputy Commissioner N.Ashok Kumar and SP Ukhrul along with a prominent social worker of Ukhrul had visited the Shokok village and interacted with the villagers.

When the Sangai Express, ask the DC/Ukl if he would like to make any comment from his visit after returning from the village on the way, he said that he could not make any comment at the moment but said that the villagers were fine.

The MLA of Ukhrul A/C Danny Shaiza despite his utmost concern could not came to the village personally due to unavoidable circumstances.

However he arranged a vehicle for the media coverage of the incident and said that he had met the Chief Minister personally and highlighted the issue to be solved at the earliest.

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