Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 25:
Asserting that the people are now aware of the excesses committed by Assam Rifles in the remote areas of Dingpi and Khenjoi under Chandel district, UNLF asserted that the facts can no longer be kept concealed despite the alleged fabricated and misleading propaganda being floated consistently by the PRO of Assam Rifles.
A statement issued by the Senior Publicity Officer of UNLF Ksh Yoiheiba remarked that Assam Rifles troops who marched into Dingpi and Khenjoi areas with delusions of driving out the MPA cadres were dejected and frustrated with the repeated defeats suffered at the hands of MPA cadres.
Unable to face their adversaries, the AR troops have been pouring their wrath on the innocent villagers of Tuyang, Tolbung, Hengshi, Holenjang and Joupi.
Consequent upon the PIL filed at the Gauhati High Court by the village chief of Tuyang, an enquiry team was sent to the spot to verify the charges.
The enquiry report has confirmed the atrocities committed by AR personnel against the villagers, observed the outfit.
In addition, a team of reporters who went to these remote villages to ascertain the charges of excesses committed by AR personnel have also confirmed that the allegations were all true, it said.
Quoting media reports, Yoiheiba said that many villagers injured in the severe assault by AR personnel were prohibited from seeking medical aid outside their village.
Moreover, deadly traps of landmines have been laid all around the village to prevent any one venturing outside.
Taking into account all such anti-people activities, it came as no surprise when AR PRO claimed that UNLF cadres have been driven off into Myanmarese territory.
The allegation that the villagers were forced to grow poppy by UNLF and that all the charges made against AR were instigated by UNLF are all manifestations of their (security forces) utter frustration, Yoiheiba claimed.
Remarking that security forces have been indulging in such false and fabricated propaganda for a long time, UNLF claimed that MPA cadres have proved repeatedly by deeds that they can launch assault on security forces at any time anywhere.
The farcical judicial system of the existing Government has been reduced to nought by its own security forces by dismissing the spot enquiry report conducted under direction of the Gauhati High Court.
The security forces even went on to say that the enquiry report showed rhetoric of UNLF.
Such irresponsible and high handed conduct of security forces is a bitter lesson to the people that they are being subjugated under military rule, Yoiheiba added.