Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 28 2010:
In a follow up action to the burning down of houses belonging to those who forcibly recruited three minor boys to the underground organisation, troops of 15 Assam Rifles and a team of Thoubal district police commandos apprehended one Thokchom Herojit (27), an overground worker of PLA, residing at Heirok part-II under Thoubal PS, who was involved in extortion and recruitment from Heirok Part II, on July 25 .
Source of 15 AR informed this newspaper that arrest of Herojit has dealt a severe blow to the recruitment process in Thoubal district.
The arrested OGW revealed that he has been working with Ronel Singh of PLA and Santa Singh of PREPAK, who at present are absconding, collecting money and recruiting new young boys.
The source said, on July 24, houses of individuals indulging in recruitment of youths forcibly to the undergrounds, were burnt down by local populace of Heirok Part II in Thoubal district.
As a follow up, troops of 15 AR liaised with the locals and ascertained that there is large amount of anger prevailing amongst them against the UG recruiters who mislead young lads and take them to the path of crime and terrorism.
It was found that there are three young boys namely Khundrakpam Bitanjit (13), son of Surjit of Heirok Part II, Saikhom Sidam (13), son of Late Shanta of Heirok Part I and Okram Amarjit @ Manaobi (13), son of O Premjit of Heituppokpi Mamang Leikai, who have been taken away from their houses.
False promises of employment and money lured the three young upcoming boys into falsehood and insurgency.
Parents of the boys have approached 15 AR for help in finding them.
A public plea has also been made by the parents to all to intimate any whereabouts of their wards, the source of 15 AR said adding that efforts were being made by troops of 15 AR to reassure the wailing and angered parents, and relatives of the boys that people who have taken them away will be tracked down and brought to justice.