Moreh, January 03: Protest continued unabated at Moreh demanding safe and unconditional release of Sarangthem Jayenta alias Arun of Hiyangthang even as ten women activists suffered slight injuries during scuffle with security personnel at the entrance gate of the 24 Assam Rifles today.

A large number of womenfolk from Moreh Bazar holding placards and raising slogans squatted at the AR gate from around 8 am demanding information on whereabouts of Jayenta, who Moreh public alleged was picked up on January 1 night by personnel of the AR unit.

Trouble broke out when a two vehicle convoy comprising of a Maruti Gypsy and an ambulance with a patient drove out of the AR unit's gate even as the women agitators, made up of meira-paibi organisations of the border town, were locked in verbal duel with security men manning the gate.

The protestors comprehending the patient to be Jayenta tried to stop the vehicles resulting in the scuffle which led to the injuries suffered by Yumnam Ongbi Samoni (35), Uyam (O) Khumanbi (35), S sushila (50), Kh Irabati (50), M Ibemma (32), Th jamuna (40), Kh Ibetombi (45), P Manishang (50) and Rashida Begum (55).Following the scuffle a hurriedly convened public meeting was held in front of Moreh police station wherein several resolutions were adopted including condemnation on failure to hand over Jayenta to the nearest police station, non-disclosure of the youth's whereabouts, intense agitation till his safe release, formation of JAC and formal apprisal to relevant authorities including the CM, MHRC representatives, MLA concerned, Prime Minister and union home Minister among others.

According to police sources, all relevant process in connection with the alleged arrest have been taken up which included statements of witnesses who claimed to have seen the AR personnel hauling up Jayenta on the fateful night during a public programme.

However, the 24 AR's Commanding Officer Col KS Kadian categorically rejected accusation against the AR when a media team approached the officer for his side of the story.

Terming the accusation as intense campaign to malign the image of the elite security force, Col Kadian conveyed that whenever innocent person/s are arrested AR do not hesitate to order immediate release.

In case of arrest of known UG activists they are handed over to nearest police station as official procedures prescribe, he added.

Expressing awe at the agitation being resorted by certain section of Moreh community, the Colonel maintained that asking the AR to release someone who is not in their custody is beyond comprehensible rhetoric.

On the otherhand jayenta's elder brother S Jiten Singh disclosed of his brother taking to Moreh trades a few months back and used to stay at the town.

Meanwhile business activities have been severely hit as bandh imposed in connection with the youth's disappearance after the alleged arrest continued for the second day today.

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