Saikul Area Foothills' Naga Association (SAFNA) decries
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 13 2012: The Saikul Area Foothills' Naga Association (SAFNA) has in the strongest term condemned the alleged atrocities meted out to the headmen and villagers by the State police commandos during the Gram Panchayat poll today, reports our Ukhrul correspondent.

In a press communiqu� issued to the press today SAFNA alleged that the State police commando went on the bersek and mishandled the situation and taking all the laid down laws and rule of the constitution in their own whims and fancy and given enough fear-psychosis to the villagers.

It alleged that the state police commando who came to Irong polling station had beaten up the headman of four (4) villages who earlier refrain from casting their vote and force them to cast their vote at gun point.

The names of the four village headmen who were beaten and asked at gun point to cast the votes are S Thamni, Headman Irong Ato, S Alungpam, Headman Somrei, Shangprangleng Headman, Arong Aza and SP Taulem, Headman Komlaching.

The communiqu� further alleged that the police commando had not only threatend the public but also broke two benches and added that when the public did not turn up for casting the votes the authority has brought people from the valley and freely made a proxy voting.

Due to such unhealthy development the public of Irong Aze, Irong Ato, Somrei and Komlaching villages came out to protest such proxy voting taking place in their name.

However, the Yaripok police inspector who led the police/ commando ordered firing tear gas to the public and many peoples were beaten black-and blue, the president of SAFNA said.

SAFNA president Mathankhui Zimik further said that Nongmaiching Area villages including Kabrang, Leishamlok, Poirou, Ngaranphung, Tamaram, Phunal maring and Lembakhul villages had resolved not to participate in today's Panchayat election as per a meeting resolution adopted on September 11.Accordingly whatever may be the result of the September 13 election it does not have peoples mandate and the concern authority should immediately take up the requisite measures failing to comply the public request will invite steps of agitation the communiqu� added.

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