Sehlon demands removal of AR post
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 17 2012: People of Sehlon village situated within Dingpi area of Chandel district have demanded removal of the 36 Assam Rifles post located just above their village.

The Assam Rifles had already refuted the allegations and given their side of the story on February 16 .

It is reported that in connection with the death of a non-local canteen supplier on February 14, troops of the AR post led by their CO came to the village and apprehended four villagers the same night.

As the four persons were not connected with the death of the non-local man in any manner, villagers waited at the gate of the AR post from February 14 night till the next morning for release of the four innocent youths.

The AR canteen was run by just two non-local men including the dead man.

As such there was every possibility that the killing was fuelled by personal grudges/enmity between the two co-workers.

"To blame us for the killing which resulted from their own in-fighting is unacceptable", said the villagers.

A Sehlon villager shows the bruished part

As the villagers were waiting for release of the four youths, a team of Tengnoupal Police came to the AR post to take the dead body.

It was at this moment, the CO handed over the four villagers to police.

"We have no doubt that the four youths are innocent and we were hoping that justice would be done once they are produced before Court", the villagers.

At the time the youths to were handed to the police, the villagers and their families attempted to contact them but the AR CO raised strong objection.

This resulted in a heated altercation between AR troops and the villagers.

In the next moment, a large of number of personnel ran out and started raining blows on the villagers irrespective of young or old, men or women.

Some women were chased down all the way to the foothill, and there they were whipped and rifle-butted.

Helpless as they were, the women were also molested by AR personnel.

Altogether 27 villagers sustained injuries in the AR assault, narrated the villagers to a team of visiting media persons.

Out of the victims, 10 persons including pregnant Deikhoting Haokip and Hatkim Baite sustained critical injuries.

After volunteers of KSO Khengjoy Block who went to escort the injured victims for treatment were denied entry in the afternoon of February 15, volunteers of KSO Ghqs went to the village yesterday and took the victims to hospital yesterday.

In case the AR authority does not tender an apology as per customary laws, KSO would take the matter to Court, said a spokesperson of the student body.