AAP's Zou threatens to sue Army
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, May 11 2014 : Alleging that the Army personnel posted at Muallum village in Singngat sub-division used passenger carrier operators to serve their personal purpose, the AAP candidate in Outer Manipur PC, K Zou today warned of filing a PIL in the Supreme Court if the unit concerned fails to tender apology within two days.

K Zou told a handful of reporters here that personnel of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles posted at Muallum have forced drivers of passenger vehicles plying between Singngat and Churachandpur to withdraw cash from the ATM booths located here on several occasions.

On one occasion, they even thrashed a man so badly that he sought medical help on charge that some of their money is missing.

Elaborating on the incident he said, on May 9, the driver of Jehova Jire bus was given 7 ATM cards for withdrawing cash.

As he had to head for Imphal after reaching Churachandpur, he reportedly entrusted a security guard of the HDFC bank, a known man, to do the needful.

In the evening as he handed over the cards as well as the cash, the GR personnel alleged that some of their money were missing and told the driver to summon the security guard, who happens to be a former serviceman as well.

The moment he arrived at their security post, Tongzakham (48) was hit on the chest with an AK rifle butt without giving him any opportunity to clear the air.

He was then repeatedly assaulted by the army men to the extent that he had to hire a Bolero to take him home.

Questioning the rationale behind the Army using innocent and ignorant tribal men like their personal servant, K Zou asked from where they derived their right to exploit the hill people.

He also asked whether the Army men were to be treated as friends or invaders when the army has chosen to treat the people as enemy.

"It is on this basis that I demand the unit concerned of the Gorkha Rifles to tender apology to the victim within two days, failing which I'll approach the men in-charge of the force and if I still felt that there is any dearth of action, I'll be forced to file a PIL in the Supreme Court on atrocities committed by the armies in NE India,' he said.

The AAP nominee also called up Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI to apprise him about the incident in the presence of the reporters and claimed that he had assured to look into it.

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