IRB, MR men leave Ukl, 17 MR men held by public freed, 16 arms seized returned
Source: The Sangai Express / Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, June 03 2010:
Details of the clash and confrontations between the public of Ukhrul and the State security forces could not be gathered, as it occurred late in the evening, but matter has come to light that it was providence that no one was killed or suffered severe injuries.
The clash went late into the night, and calm returned only when an MoU between representatives of the TNL, TSL, TKS, TMNL and the State represented by the DC and SP of the district was signed at 1 am.
Seventeen personnel of 5th Manipur Rifles, who were detained by women torch bearers of Ukhrul town last night have been set free in the early hours today.
Moreover, 16 service weapons including 15 SLR and one carbine, seized from the MR personnel yesterday have also been handed over to the Deputy Commission (Ukhrul) in the presence of prominent citizens and representatives of various organisations today.
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The MR personnel were detained by the womenfolk to protest the assault of some civilians by IRB personnel last evening at Phungreitang.
The youths who were beaten up by the MR personnel were out on the streets to enforce the 72 hours bandh imposed in protest against the holding of the election to the ADC.
However the MR personnel thrashed them on the ground that curfew had already been clamped in the town.
Our correspondent reports that the enforcement of curfew or any other restrictions on the movement and assembly of people were not announced effectively to reach the ears of the people of Ukhrul.
In retaliation to the conduct of the MR men and the use of excess force, the office of the Ukhrul Autonomous District Council was also burnt down.
Prior to the formal release of the MR personnel, a four point agreement was signed at late night yesterday.
The agreements pertain included apology for resorting to indiscriminate firing; withdrawal of IRB and commando personnel from the district headquarters within 12 hours; financial assistance to the injured persons; and disciplinary action against security personnel involved in the firing and thrashing incidents.
While the ukhrul DC and SP represented the Government of Manipur, representatives of TNL, TSL, TKS and TMNL represented the Tangkhul civil societies.
Consequent to the agreement, 20 to 30 IRB personnel have left Ukhrul town when this report was filed at about 7.30 pm, even as about 17 persons, mostly women, are being treated at the District Hospital.
Meanwhile the turn out of voters in the ADC polls held yesterday at Ukhrul district was extremely poor with only 23 voters cast their votes at polling station number 3/3 Huishu in Chingai AC.
In Shangshak not a single vote was cast in the 8 polling stations At Shingkap ADC out of the seven polling stations, voting took place only at Tangkhul Hundung where 48 voters exercised their franchise rights.
Repoll will be held in 8 polling stations in Kasom Khullen after unidentified miscreant barged into the polling station and set on fire the ballot box at 10 am yesterday.
Out of the total 554 voters, 104 voters had exercised their rights.
At Ethan polling station votes out of the 186 registered voters, only a handful voted, while at Khoiripok polling stations 5 votes were cast as against the presence of 827 voters, said official sources.