Imphal, May 27 2010: Naga Women Union and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights in a joint statement claimed that Naga villagers returning after a candle light peace rally at Senapati bazar were brutally assaulted by IRB personnel posted at Taphou on May 24 .

Alleging that the IRBs were in inebriated state and demanded money from those returning, among whom first group of people assaulted were from Ningthoupham Village.

They were asked whether they all belong to Naga community.

On answering in the affirmative they were repeatedly assaulted, maintained the bodies in a joint release issued today while adding that PY Joseph (25) s/o PY Sakpa, and YK Regent (41) s/o YK Shangba were seriously injured.

YK Regent was assaulted on the ground that he is unmarried despite his age.

Further informing that four villagers of Tumuyon Khullen Village were stopped and harassed telling them that they are NSCN cadres on the same day, the joint statement contended that one of the victims namely Suingam s/o (L) Pangniba was taken to a secluded place and made to strip.

Their vehicle was detained and were told it will not be returned back unless the mobile phone of their officer supposedly snatched earlier by people of the area was returned.

Another two persons namely, Ng Alisha (34) (L) Sumbo and Williambo (36) s/s (L) Difulung both from Thonglang Akutpa Village were also hit with rifle butts and barrel.

They were assaulted for not changing their Assam registered Vehicle Number to that of Manipur.

An amount of Rs 110 one cigarette pack and one match box were forcibly taken from them.

condemning continuous assault on the rights of Nagas by the Manipur security forces deployed in Senapati District and accusing Government of Manipur of patronising atrocities against the Naga people, the two organisations voiced demand for removal of Manipur IRBs and Police Commandoes from the hills of Manipur.

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