Source: The Sangai Express
Moreh, January 22:
At least 10 people were injured when police opened fire to control a mob which had started attacking the ADC office at Moreh today.
Even as a large number of women folk have started taking shelter at the No Man's Land along the Indo-Myanmar border to demand the removal of 24 Assam Rifles from the border town, about 1000 youths today started attacking the office of the ADC on finding that the officer was not present at his office at this critical time.
To control the situation, police opened fire injuring at least 10 youths.
The ADC office was attacked at about 8.30 am today.
The doors and windows of the office were substantially damaged and the dish antenna of the CIC was also damaged and the wires snapped.
Over 10 people injured in the subsequent police firing were admitted to the CHC, Moreh.
Following the shift of a large number of women folk to No Man's Land, a large number of youngsters came out on the street demanding that their mothers be restored to them.
A huge rally organised by AMSU, Chandel district committee and participated by over 1000 youths was also staged at the border town.
The rallyists carrying festoons and placards decrying the excesses of the Assam Rifles proceeded right up to Moreh police station and a dharna followed late into the evening.
To over see the situation at Moreh, MLA Bijoy Koijam arrived here at about 9.45 am and met Brigadier RA Lewis of the 26 Sector Assam Rifles and other top ranking AR officers.
DIG Range II Christopher Doungel also arrived at Moreh.
After meeting the AR top brass and police officers, the MLA then went up to the No Man's Land and pleaded with the women folk to talk things over and solve the impasse.
The women folk however stuck to their gun and demanded that the 24 AR be removed from Moreh first.
A compromise formula was ultimately worked out where it was suggested that a Memorandum of Understanding be signed first to assure that the AR men do not exceed their briefs.
A meeting with the MLA later followed which was attended by representatives of the AMSU, Chandel district committee, Moreh Women JAC and MCM.
During the meeting five resolutions were adopted.
The five resolutions included, immediate shifting of 24 Assam rifles from Moreh and to be replaced by another force, immediate and appropriate punishment of Major Atul Yadav of 24 AR and his accomplices who were involved in sodomising a suspect in their custody, any security force which is deployed in Moreh should follow the guidelines of the Supreme Court of India, during CI operations all security personnel should wear uniform and identify themselves while conducting checking and frisking duties, they should never be dressed in civvies while on duty and they should not use unregistered vehicles and the Army/para military force should always be accompanied by the civil police during CI ops and issue arrest memo while picking up any suspect.
The women folk taking shelter at the No Man's Land are facing a hard time.
Today two women fainted.
A number of women, who had to spend the night in the open at the No Man's Land had to be treated and many were given intravenous glucose drips to fight dehydration.
Representatives of the All Manipur Kanba Ima Lup, All Manipur Women Social Reformation and Development Samaj, Chingmi Tammi Apunba Lup and Women Action Committee arrived at Moreh to take part in the agitation at the No Man's Land.