Heirok denizens push back AR, storm camp
Source: Chronicle News Service
Thoubal, June 13 2023:
After some personnel of 37 Assam Rifles stationed at Phundrei were seen coming towards Heirok, people of the area herded them back to their camp while large mob stormed their camp few minutes later on Tuesday.
Heirok denizens angry over 'unwarranted' move of the AR troopers encircled the camp to demand appropriate action.
According to reports, at about 11 am Tuesday, a 25-member team of 37 AR including four women personnel, was seen approaching Heirok through the farmlands by people working in the area and consequently raised an alarm.
On hearing the news, a large number of Heirok villagers blocked the access road to Heirok from Phundrei/Khong-jom side which forced the AR team to retreat to their camp.
Afterwards, the villagers pursued the AR personnel and congregated at the unit's camp at Phundrei followed by villagers from nearby Wang-jing, Khongjom and Langathel reaching the said post and attempted to barge in.
However, a team of Thoubal district police showed up at the scene and held talks with the mob.
The villagers calmed down and the situation brought under control only after an assurance was given through SP Thoubal that the AR personnel will not venture out of the camp anymore.
Meanwhile, an apex body of 24 clubs of Heirok urged the authorities concerned to take appropriate action against suspicious activities of 37 AR to avert mass agitation.
A memorandum was also submitted to the Thoubal deputy commissioner and the SP
by Khongjom Circle Meira Paibi Forum cautioning that the district authorities shall be held responsible in case of any controversy created by 37 AR .
The memorandum also demanded removal of the AR post from the area, instruct their officials not to venture out from the camp till their removal and deploy other security forces like BSF.
As they do not trust the 37 AR, from now on meira paibi activists will start keeping a vigil at their gate, it added, while cautioning the authorities concerned to honour their demands within three days failing which agitation would be launched.