Militants assault commuters along IT Road
Source: The Sangai Express

Sadar Hills, September 18 2016: Eight persons heading towards Makui village from Kanglatongbi along Imphal-Tamenglong road were allegedly assaulted by Kuki militants near Kangpokpi oil pump yesterday night.

A victim among the eight, on anonymity, said that they were heading towards Makui village by two Shaktiman from Kanglatongbi at around 5 pm yesterday to exercise their franchise rights in the 8-Wakotphai District Council Constituency by-election.

However, on reaching Kangpokpi, three riders followed them from IT road and stopped them near Kangpokpi oil pump along the road and asked for annual tax of KRA-U, he said while adding that they [the militants] called up his friends through his mobile and in no time 3/4 persons reached the spot in an auto and dragged them to a secluded place and started thrashing them.

He added "We politely told them (the militants) that we have no money and the Mahajons are not with us but they continued to assault us brutally without mercy and told us you underestimate KRA and KNF" .

The victim further alleged that they were released after taking two cranes of the vehicle and asked to bring Rs 10,000/- in exchange of the two cranes tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a reliable source said that one KRA-U cadre suspected to be involved in the brutal assault on September 16 evening had been apprehended by security forces on September 17 near SL Veng, Ward No16, Kangpokpi and handed over to the police.

According to Liangmai Naga Council, Senapati Zone, the victims hailing from Makui village and Niulong village were traveling home to cast their votes for the Wakotphai ADC bye-election slated for the next day and the attack was intended to disturb the election.

Strongly condemning the "brutal attack" on civilians, the Liangmai body said the incidents occurred at Kangpokpi and Turibari area on September 16 at around 3 pm.

According to LNC, Senapati Zone, the total number of 15 "innocent travellers" were dragged down from vehicles at IT Road petrol pump in Kangpokpi and also at Turibari and beaten up black and blue "without any rhyme and reason.".

The Liangmai body said that some of them are critically injured and undergoing treatments.

"It is clearly an attack on our people, therefore, the Liangmai council will deal this matter befittingly to bring justice to the innocent victims," the LNC, Senapati Zone asserted.

The council questioned the law enforcing agencies as they have "terribly failed" to protect the civilians.

The Liangmai body sternly warned that if the "anti social elements" fail to surrender before the LNC customary court "within 3 days from today", the situation will invite ugly consequences.

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