RAF personnel caught vandalising at Moirangkhom
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 13 2023:
Tensions erupted in Sing-jamei area late Monday night after local womenfolk blocked movement of a vehicle of Assam Rifles purportedly to check the occupants while Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) de ployed to control the tension were caught vandalising properties along the Moirangkhom Can-chipur stretch of the highway.
According to a report, around 11pm Monday, an AR vehicle moving in Singjamei section of the Imphal-Moreh road (NH-02) was blocked by womenfolk for checking, leading to the tension.
At the time, a large number of RAF personnel patrolling in the area fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, and sort of managed to take the situation under control.
Later, the RAF personnel, which was on foot patrolling from Singjamei towards Moirangkhom started pelting stones at houses and vandalising vehicles parked on both sides of the road, fired tear gas shells and went on to thrash the people present nearby.
Two people, identified as Chin-gakham Malemnganba and Kh Okesh (32) of Moirangkhom, sustained injuries.
Malemnganba was sleeping inside his house when one of the stones hit him on the back of his head.
CCTV camera footage showed one of the RAF patrolling personnel hurling the stone at the direction of his house.
Speaking to The People's Chronicle, Kh Okesh narrated that after having dinner he went out of home and talked to someone on his mobile phone.
Suddenly, the RAF patrolling team fired a tear gas shell at his direction.
While he was crouching due to the burning sensation on his eyes, around 20 RAF personnel came and caught his hands and started brutally thrashing him with a leather- like object.
He was also kicked and stepped on, preventing him from breathing for a brief period.
Okesh continued despite plea that he under medication for mental stress the RAF team refused to let him go.
They then tried to load him to a vehicle.
However, some locals came out to his aid and the personnel released him.
Singjamei Apunba Nupi Lup joint secretary Thongam Inaocha, who also witnessed the incident, told this daily that as part of the movement to save the state fol lowing the May 3 clashes, the womenfolk of Singjamei have been on vigil along Singjamei road.
On Monday night, several vehicles including a bus of central forces tried to pass through the area and as such, the women folk requested to check the vehicles.
At the moment, the bus shut off its light and prevented anyone from looking inside.
The women folk then questioned why the convoy was refusing them to check if there was nothing suspicions.
A standoff then ensued and an RAF team arrived at the scene and started firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Strongly condemning the excessive use of force and vandal ism by RAF personnel, Inaocha then declared that all RAF per -sonnel are barred from entering Singjamei.
Meanwhile, strongly condemning the actions of RAF on Monday night Singjamei Apunba Nupi Lup closed down Singjamei Keithel and nearby shops and staged a sit-in protest at Singjamei Parking on Tuesday.
Joint Action Committee Yaiskul and Yaiskul Relief Committee also jointly staged a sit-in at Moirangkhom Bazar.
Speaking on the sidelines, Yaiskul Relief Committee co- convenor Leimapokpam Shantibala condemned the actions of RAF on Monday night.
She continued that the actions carried out by RAF in non-violent areas located close to the Secretariat office and Chief Minister's Bungalow clearly shows that the government is unable to rein in the forces deployed by the centre.
She cautioned that if the central forces continue to harass innocent civilians, it could lead to fierce retaliation from the people and as such urged the government to take note and initiate strict action against the personnel involved.
Mention may be made here that according to an official report obtained by this daily, an SI and a constable of RAF/ CRPF have been suspended in connection with Monday's incident.
The two suspended personnel have been ordered not to leave the headquarters without the permission of the Battalion Commandant.
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