Nongshum takes up arms for self defence
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 03 2016:
Unable to bear persistent harassment they have been suffering at the hands of some militants, people of Nongshum village have not only armed themselves with licensed guns (shotguns) but have also devised a mechanism of guarding the village day and night on rotational basis.
Nongshum village located within Khundrakpam Assembly segment in Imphal East district under Sagolmang police station has around 65 households with a total population of 300 .
It is alleged that they have been suffering all kinds of harassment since the past many years at the hands of some cadres of KNO/KLA which is a signatory of the SoO pact.
While some armed youngsters started guarding the village since yesterday, many of the villagers were seen huddled together.
Konjengbam Ibungobi, convenor of the JAC Against the Torture of Nongshum Village by KNO/KLA told media persons that they have been suffering all kinds of harassment and humiliation at the hands of KNO/KLA cadres.
The militant cadres dismantled houses, physically assaulted villagers, threatened and extorted money, he alleged.
When some KNO/KLA cadres attempted to abduct a few labourers engaged in a PMGSY work, Nongshum villagers chased away the militants by opening fire thereby defeating their nefarious design.
Nonetheless, the villagers are apprehensive that the militants may come back and they decided to keep vigil around the village for self-protection.
Earlier too, KNO/KLA cadres committed many unlawful and criminal activities in and around the village.
Even though police, paramilitary forces and army were reported about these incidents, no befitting action was ever initiated.
Sometimes security forces turned against the villagers on the false charge of sheltering militants, Ibungobi said.
Yet, Nongshum villagers controlled their rage and somehow maintained peace by holding joint meetings with chiefs of the surrounding hill villages.
This time too, a written invitation for a joint meeting was sent to all surrounding villages but there has been no response so far, Ibungobi lamented.
Apart from taking up self-defence measures, the villagers have been protesting the alleged persistent harassment by imposing indefinite bandh on Imphal-Khamenlok and Imphal-Khongbal roads.
If the issue is not resolved amicably at the earliest, more intense modes of agitation including economic blockade may be launched, said the JAC convenor.
Nongshum Chaokhat Khongthang Nupi Marup advisor Sagolsem (O) Mema said that no major untoward happened in the past as they (womenfolk) have been pacifying and restraining the youngsters from taking violent counter-measures.
With all the males now confined within the village who otherwise should be earning livelihood of their families, any attempt to humiliate the villagers would be responded with befitting answers, Mema said.