Imphal, November 15: Even as the Indian army has intensified its counter insurgency operation in the interior parts of Churachandpur district, more and more allegations of forced labour, and forcible seizure of civilian trucks and men have been levelled against them.

The opaque manner in which the army operate in terms of giving out information to the media on incidents have also created plenty of confusion among the public.

It has been three days since heavy encounter between the Army and insurgents were reported from around Limtaal village in Thanlon Sub division, but no official information on the incident have been coming from the side of army authority.

Information obtained from various sources here has indicated that the army has seized at least three civilian trucks since Thursday from various parts of Churachandpur along with the drivers and handymen.

On Thursday night, a group of armymen came to New Bazar area here in a white Maruti Van and took a Chaktiman truck 'Seven Brothers' (MN02/5937) along with its drivers, Thangcha and Soson, sources said.

The army also took two more trucks bearing registration number, MN02/ 5627 and MN 04/ 3299 from RC Road and Hmar Veng areas respectively on Friday night.

The drivers and handymen of the two trucks, identified as Kamgoulien, Daniel and Genmuan were also forced to accompany them, said sources.

While two of the trucks were taken from the owners' houses, the one taken from Hmar Veng was just getting ready to collect paddy from the field when it was forcibly taken, it added.

The army men just told the owners that they required the vehicles and that they will be returned within a day or two.

They also promised to pay rent charges according to rules, they said.

Sources added that the trucks are presently used at Guite Road area.

None of them have been returned to the owners till now and no information is also available about them.

In the meanwhile, another truck carrying sands from Serou was stopped near Saikot village on Thursday and a man taken from the truck, a source said.

It may be mentioned that fifteen people were forcibly taken from Saikot, Khopibung and Muolbem villages on 7 November for ferrying materials for the army and released later.

All of them being manual labourers, their families are facing huge problems due to these incidents.

However, no details are available on the unit or battalion to which these army men belong.

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