Moreh, August 19: Strongly protesting the assault of 8 persons by personnel of 37 Assam Rifles at Moreh today, the Kha-Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup and Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjmg Lup have imposed an indefinite Moreh bandh.

The enraged women folk also burnt the effigy of the CO of 37 AR, Col Sanjoy Kapur in front of Moreh PS.

The eight persons were picked up from Moreh Ward number 7 today and after severely thrashing them, three were released on the ground that they were innocent while cases were filed against the other five.

The five persons who are still in the custody of the security personnel are Oinam Hemanta, Moirangthem Rajen alias Brojendro Singh (37), Ngangom Ingocha Singh (38), Puyam Kupu alias Open Singh (38) and Soram Api Singh.

The three who were released after a severe thrashing are Oinam John Singh (43), Soram Piktru and Naorem Shanker.

All are from Moreh ward number 7.While the AR have dubbed the first four as UNLF cadres, the last has been named as a KCP cadre.

Strongly refuting the charges of 37 Assam Rifles, the incensed women folk gathered at about 9 am and asked all the shops to down shutters.

Vehicular movements were also stopped and all Moreh bound vehicles were not allowed to enter the border town.

Vehemently condemning the excesses of the AR personnel, the women folk said that all the residents of Moreh will leave the place.

The presidents of the two women bodies said that the AR personnel, frustrated at not being to arrest any militant cadres, have been pulling up the innocent people on trumped up charges and planting bombs and guns at them to make the charges stick.

The bandh was total today.

Tyres were laid in the middle of the road at Moreh Thongkhong and set ablaze.

Boulders were placed at the middle of the road to discourage movement of traffic and people while in from of the Customs office, bandh supporters placed chairs in the middle of the road.

All commercial activities came to a grinding halt and according to latest information; womenfolk were still in front of the Moreh police to protest.

The women folks also raised slogans against the Assam Rifles and asked the CO of 37 AR to go back.

Condemning the incident, the AMSU branch of Chandel said that the people of Manipur have for long been at the receiving end of the security personnel who have been harassing the people under the immunity granted by AFSPA.

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