Imphal, June 21: The Zomi Human Rights Foundation (ZHRF), a Lamka based rights body today express-ed strong condemnation of the �unbecoming behaviour� of some personnel belonging to the CRPF on the night of June 18, at Hebron Veng, New Lamka in which about three innocent civilians, including a 62-year old Church elder and retired Govt teacher were severely beaten inside their own house and compound and said that the incident exposes the hollowness of the frequent lofty talks on human rights, rule of law etc for the common man.

The beating with rifle butts and boots did not stop even as the church elder, T.Khamzadou, disclosed his identity; it said and added that the personnel involved also used highly provocative language with deep communal overtones.

Sources said that the three persons were dragged out from the house and beaten again on the road even while they pleaded their innocence.

The release said that the this latest act was all the more galling as there was no provocation whatsoever and that no curfew or restrictions were in force in the area at the time.

Saying that it is precisely for these beastly acts committed on civilians on a regular basis that the security forces were still looked upon with dread and fear by the common man, the Foundation demanded prompt remedial steps from the concerned higher authorities so that such ugly incidents do not recur.

Strike affects normal life: The general strike call-ed in protest of the continued presence of the Assam Rifles at Kangla, Imphal today affected normal life with most shops in the main streets closed and few vehicles plying on the road.

The strike was supported by Meitei youth Organization, Churachandpur.

It may be mentioned that another bandh of the hill areas, called by the KSO over a land dispute at Imphal is starting tonight until tomorrow.

Some strike supporters were seen deflating tyres and forcibly shutting shops in the morning.

The ban- dh had taken many people by surprise as the MYO had only yesterday issued a release stating that the bandh will apply only to vehicles.

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