Chadong villagers unleash 'act of savage'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Ukhrul, June 01 2012:
Chadong villagers went free for all on broad daylight on the street of Ukhrul town with several persons sustaining injury after the "anti-headman group" attacked the "headman group" at Phungreitang in Ukhrul on Friday.
The savage act of brutal violence, which had drawn serious public criticism, left several people hurt.
The condition of seven victims in stated to be serious.
According to eyewitnesses, the violence erupted at about 11.45 am, and poured onto the street in Phungreitang when the "anti-headman group" of Chadong village attacked its rivals for about 10 minutes.
The entire incident, as per reliable reports, was pre-planned with the "anti-headman group" numbering more than 100 coming in Shaktiman and DI trucks armed with sticks.
Eyewitnesses said the police rushed to the area and put the situation under control.
"Had it not been for police, the situation would have been much worse.
They turned up in time to defuse the violence," said a fear stricken 54-year old lady, Achui, who was on the spot watching the whole scene.
Police escorted seven seriously injured to the Ukhrul District Hospital and were shifted to Imphal for further medical treatment later in the evening.
There is no FIR lodged and arrest made till the filing of this report.
The seriously injured, all from headman group, were identified as Paul Kasar (69) s/o Heiyaoba Kasar, Shimreishang Kasar (65) s/o (Lt) Shakemba Kasar, Raikhan Kashung (40) s/o Tuishim Kashung, Rewben Kasar (50) s/o Ramthar Kasar, Solomon Kasar (45) s/o Mashathing Kasar, and Ramsing Kasar (75) s/o Shakemba Kasar, and Worchipem Kashung (26) s/o (Lt) Shiniva Kashung.
Police were helpless with about 500 people gathered at the site of incident, despite.
the fact that the culprits were standing right in front of them wielding sticks.
"After putting the situation under control and taking the injured to the hospital, the accused have all made good their escape," clarified Ukhrul police OC Tezii.
According to reliable sources, on Friday morning both the "headman and anti-headman groups" arrived at Ukhrul to settle "the issue of headmanship" at NSCN (IM)'s Wung Tangkhul Region (WTR) office.
The contesting parties were supposed to take a "water immersion", the Tangkhul customary practice of settling a dispute, to resolve the controversy surrounding the headmanship of Chadong village.
It is, however, learnt that the "judgment by water" was deferred due to certain reason.
Interestingly, today's entire incident occurred few metres away from NSCN's WTR office.
Public have voiced strong criticism against the violence.
How can they take the public for a ride by bringing their village feud right in the heart of Ukhrul town? It is really an act of savage?, many right thinking citizens have raised the questions.