Imphal, February 24 2009: Refuting reports which appeared in the February 24 issue of the newspapers, the proscribed RPF has claimed that it has no connection with the three persons who were arrested by 24 AR personnel.

The three were named as Pvt Dainichandra (30) of Imphal West, Pvt Asem Lukhoi (40) from Thoubal and overground worker Shyam Singh from Thoubal.

Reportedly arrested by a team of 24 Assam Rifles and Manipur police, from Dhobinala in Dimapur, the reports in the newspapers had stated that they belonged to the PLA, said the outfit in a statement today.

However when the three purported cadres were paraded before the media at Dimapur, they had maintained that they are artistes and running shops there with no connection with the PLA or RPF and innocent people, said the outfit.

Their statement that they were rounded up on February 19 at about 10.30 pm is a clear indication of the state of a subjugated people, said RPF.

Arresting innocent civilians who are eking out a living and dubbing them as militants just to get citations and clear the promotion path has been the culture of the security force as well as the State police, alleged RPF.

Many more have been tortured and killed to maintain a clean slate on their service record as well as to receive awards, it added.

RPF appealed to the people to take a united stand against such an agenda.

The three are not in any way related to the outfit, asserted the outfit further.

Comment