AR refutes volunteer assault slur
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 25 2023:
While refuting the news published in this daily on July 24 regarding torture of two Meitei volunteers of Awang Wabagai by 22 Assam Rifles in Leikinthabi Nong-pok Ningthou Hill on July 23, Assam Rifles expressed deep concern over publishing of unverified and baseless reports regarding assault of the two locals and disrespect to the Salai Taret flag.
As per a statement of Assam Rifles, on July 19, due to continuous firing by armed miscreants towards the Phaileng Ridge, joint team of Assam Rifle columns along with CRPF and Kangpokpi police were deployed to the north of Ningthou Hill.
On seeing the security forces, the armed miscreants fired effectively with automatic weapons, which were responded in a calibrated manner with controlled fire, in self-defence and for protection of civilians in the area.
Similar firing was carried out by the armed miscreants on following two days of July 20 and 21 after which the armed miscreants fled the area.
On July 21, when the joint team of Assam Rifles and Kangpokpi police carried out search of the area, 15 bunkers and fired cases of lathode, two inch mortars and AK-47s were recovered.
On the afternoon of July 22, search of Ningthou Hill area was carried out.
While conducting aerial surveillance of the area, one truck and a four-wheeler were seen parked on the track leading to Ningthou Hill area from Awang Leikinthabi and AR personnel proceeded to check the two vehicles.
While moving to the area, two persons on a motorbike were found on the track near the vehicles.
When enquired, it was learnt that they had come to retrieve the two vehicles which were likely used by the armed miscreants.
Both persons were asked to prove their identity and Imphal West police was contacted in this regard.
Subsequently, on confirmation by Imphal West SP, a police party along with the CRPF team came to pick them up.
They were then handed over to the police party.
One of the persons rode the motorbike and other person alleged to have brain injuries, drove the four-wheeler back to the village, it added.
No harm was done to either of the two persons as alleged in the news article, the AR clar ified and further added that there are no admissions by name of Ningthoujan Rome-son and Pukhrambam in Raj Medicity Hospital, Imphal as alleged in the news article of another news portal.
The issue of Salai Taret flag is also absolutely false and baseless, the AR refuted, while adding that the Salai Teret flag was requested and obtained from the local Meira Paibis during interaction with them after the firing incident of July 21 and raised with due respect on the Ningthou Hill.