Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 31:
With the 16 Assam Rifles allegedly using the people of Maokot village in Khenjoi area in Chandel district as human shields in encounters with the MPA of the UNLF, the villagers of Maokot have fled their homesteads while a fear psychosis has gripped the people of the adjoining villages.
Speaking to the media at the Manipur Press Club today, the Chairman of the Khenjoi Area People's Development Association, Vumthang Haokip said that the villagers started fleeing their homesteads after the Assam Rifles personnel forced a number of youngsters to move along with them during patrolling at Kamdeo Lamkhai on August 10 at about 2 pm.
The youth were heading for their village after marketing at Sugnu, said the Chairman and named them as Thangneo, Onkhomang, Thangkai, Sonkhoijam and Jamkhokai.
Moreover two students who were returning home after appearing for the Matric old course exam were also made to move along with the troops, said the Chairman and named them as Jamkholen and Miss Nengneichan.
Thangneo, Onkhomang and Jamkholen were made to lead the patrol party while the others were forced to move with the troops.
At about 2.20 pm of the said day, the AR troops ran into a group of MPA cadres near Maokot village and in the ensuing gun fight, Thangneo sustained a bullet injury on right shoulder, said Vungtham Haokip.
Thangneo was first evacuated to Saibol village and later he was taken to the unit hospital of the 16 AR post at Joupi.
The next day Thangneo was shifted to RIMS hospital by the AR men and he was given Rs 500 to meet the medical expenditure, said the Chairman.
The very next day, the people of Maokot, excepting the aged ones fled to Moreh, Sugnu and Churachandpur to escape being used as human shields, said Vungtham Haokip.
Maokot has about 70 inhabitants and 9 households.
On August 11, AR troops went on the berserk and opened fire and exploded bombs at Saimol village from 9.20 am till 11.30 am, charged the Chairman.
Though no one was injured in the incident, a fear widespread fear and apprehension spread amongst the people.
On top of this villagers of Khenjoi are subjected to immense hardship and even detained for hours by AR troops whenever they pass through Joupi.
Such conduct of the AR troops has not only inconvenienced the people but has also disrupted economic activities, contended Vumthang Haokip.