Shops extorted
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 06 2011:
Suspected armed cadres of KNO/KLA which is a party to the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact extorted money from some shops of Yaingangpokpi Bazar last night.
According to information culled from the spot, two KLA cadres clad in combat dress and wielding automatic rifles extorted money from some selected shops, rampaging the area from 9 pm till around midnight.
They forced the shopkeepers to open their shops which were already shut and extorted money at gun point.
The gumen looted four shops in a very selective manner.
The suspected KNO/KLA cadres rifle butted and kicked the other shops which refused to open.
Apart from extorting Rs 6,300 from the four shops, they also robbed money from an auto-rickshaw driver who has been identified as one Megha.
Taking strong exception to this act of extortion and selective harassment of a particular community, Yaingangpokpi Keithel and shops in the surrounding area remained shut today.
It is reported that the shut-down would continue till tomorrow.
According to a member of a Yaingangpokpi Bazar Board, the same rebel group had intimidated and extorted money from a particular community earlier too.
He also sought immediate attention of the authorities concerned so as to avert such ugly incidents in future.