Koirengei body junks AR rebuttal; files police complaint
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 27 2023: Koirengei Wangma Village Development Committee has refuted the clarification/rebuttal issued by 22 Assam Rifles, denying the brutal thrashing of two civilians atop Nongpok Ningthoul Ching, and informed that a complaint has been filed at Sekmai police in this regard.

Addressing a press meet held at the residence of one of the victims, Pukhrambam John of Awang Wa-bagai Maning Leikai on Thursday, Committee president Phijam Priyo-kumar recounted that Kuki militants from Luwangsangol and Phailen areas infiltrated into Leikinthabi area and carried out attacks.

As such, the 12 villages including Koirengei, Nilakuthi, Mongjam, Maibakhul, Kei-kol, Potsangbam Khunou, Potsang-bam Khulen, Awang Wabagai, Tingri, Leikinthabi, Leikinthabi Shantipur and Maharabi formed Wangma Village Development Committee to fend off the attacks.

He continued that the Committee then selected some people from amongst the 12 villages to protect the village at Nongpok Ningthoul Ching.

The villagers did not set up the protection to start a fight but to ensure enough time to inform the police in case of any attack, so that the latter can protect the villagers.

On July 21, some people went to deliver food for the volunteers at Nongpok Ningthou Ching.

However, they came across a large group of people in the area.

As such, they abandoned their vehicle and fled the area, suspecting the group to be Kuki militants.

After contacting the SPs of Imphal West district and Kangpokpi district, it was found that the group was personnel of 22 AR, Priyokumar recounted.

The next day on July 22, after communicating with security forces, Ningthoujam Romeson (31) s/o Hero of Awang Wabagai and Pukhrambam John alias Tomba (35) s/o (L) Binoy of Awang Wabagai Maning Leikai went to retrieve their vehicle.

When they reached the location, the 22 AR personnel, who were already present at the spot, blindfolded the duo and started thrashing both of them.

Both of them were taken to Sekmai CHC for treatment.

However, John suffered a head injury and was admitted to Raj Medicity.

A CT scan found that he was bleeding inside his brain.

Fortunately, after the bleeding stopped, he was discharged from the hospital and is now recuperating at home, the president conveyed.

Priyokumar continued that AR, however, gave statements to the media denying any thrashing of the two victims.

AR should be the middle ground and treat all communities as fairly as possible, he asserted, while informing that a complaint has been filed at Sekmai PS against 22 AR for assaulting unarmed civilians.

He further said that the people will not tolerate anyone crossing over into another's jurisdiction and assaulting innocent civilians.

As such, he urged the government to take strict note of the matter, while adding that they will not give up until the truth is delivered.

Recounting the incident, Pukhrambam John narrated that he drove his Bolero pick-up and joined another truck to deliver food to the village volunteers stationed atop Nongpok Ningthou Ching on July 21 .

When they reached the area, a bomb ex ploded close by and everyone fled from the spot to save themselves, while abandoning the vehicles.

The next day, after being informed that Imphal West district police, Sekmai Police Station and CRPF personnel were at the location, he along with his younger cousin Ningthoujam Romeson went to retrieve his vehicle.

However, when at Nongpok Ningthou Ching, personnel of 22 AR surrounded and started brutally beating them up.

They then blindfolded both of them and continued the beating, while asking several bizarre questions.

The personnel also threatened to take both of them to Kangpokpi and lay them off, he re called.

John further said that the personnel checked both of them thoroughly but could not find anything incriminating.

Later, the personnel put guns and bandoliers (bullet belt) on them and took videos of the same with the ulterior motive to brand them guilty.

Later, both of them were released after the contacting with other security forces, he recounted.

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