SoO group goes on the rampage at Singngat AC
Villagers assaulted for not backing 'selected' candidate
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 04 2022: At least five farmers were allegedly beaten by cadres of SoO group Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) at Suangphu village under Singngat Sub-Division, Churachandpur district on March 2 .

According to reliable sources, the farmers were waylaid by the ZRA cadres while heading toward their paddy field at around 3.30 pm and taken to a designated camp at Muvanlai near Singngat Sub-Division Headquarters for thwarting an attempt to capture Suangphu Polling Station on February 28 .

At the camp, the five farmers viz Mansuankhup (21), s/o Manglamkap; Manglamkap (40), s/o Thangzasuan; Pauminthang (34) s/o Thangzasuan; Thangkhankhup (37) s/o Chinsuanmang and Kaplunlal, s/o Chinsuanmang, all residents of Suangphu village were allegedly beaten black and blue by the ZRA cadres.

SoO group goes on the rampage at Singngat AC

The sources further stated that the five persons, after being tortured, were forced to sign that they will not indulge in activities which are against the Zomi interest in future.

The cadres also allegedly warned of serious consequence if they (the farmers) apprise anyone about the incident.

The 'victims' claimed that they were beaten up just because they supported the KPA candidate in the election.

The sources stated that supporting a candidate other than the one they had 'selected.' Supporting others in Singnat AC, is totally against the interest of the ZRA or Zomi, they alleged.

The injured persons were taken to Singngat Community Health Centre (CHC) .

Media persons who visited the Singnat CHC witnessed that the injured farmers were in bad shapes and could not stand without support.

The incident is believed to be the repercussion of the election held on February 28 in some Constituencies including 60-Singnat AC.

In another incident, some workers of a political party led by armed ZRA cadres allegedly assaulted and robbed the chief agent of KPA candidate Thangbem Haokip and another person identified as Thangtung at Singnat AC, yesterday.

The incident occurred when Thangbem Haokip along with Muanching, wife of Chinlunthang Zou (KPA candidate in Singnat AC) and a female assistant went to Maokot to meet their workers.

According to reliable sources, they were attacked by a group of 'thugs' as soon as they stopped their vehicle without warning.

It claimed that the group hit the KPA chief agent with sticks and Rifles butt and also snatched mobile phones, wallets and cash from the others.

The armed ZRA cadres also fired at Haokip's car, damaged the left door and shattered the windshield, as per the sources.

Claiming that the group also vandalised the house of Ginzamuan, a KPA worker from Tuivel village near Maokot, the sources continued that a team of Singnat police rushed to the spot and rescued the victims.

Reportedly, Thangbem Haokip sustained serious head injuries and he has been taken to Samaritan Hospital, Churachandpur.

A police complaint has been lodged at Singngat police station.