Kangpokpi tense after AR gun down KNF cadre
AR says, UG violating SoO rules killed in ops; people say, AR violate SoO rules, take out mass rally
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 29 2009: Troops of 36 Assam Rifles shot dead one sergeant of KNF(P), which is on Suspension of Operation with the government, in an alleged encounter last night around 7 pm on Mission road under the jurisdiction of Kangpokpi Police Station.

Decrying the incident as a flagrant violation of SoO rules, irate residents of Kangpokpi, Saparmeina and surrounding areas rose in protest and blocked the NH 39 at Kangpokpi.

Windshields of at least 11 inter-state passenger buses bound for other states were smashed by the protesters.

The slain Sergeant of KNF (P) has been identified as Thangginlal Kipgen @ Robert, son of Paolien.

The AR personnel handed over one countrymade 9 mm pistol along with three live rounds to police.

The weapon was allegedly recovered from the deceased.

Thousands of people marching on NH 39 in Kangpokpi areas against killing of a Kuki militant by Assam Rifles

On closer inspection, it is hard to believe that the pistol can fire.

In the meanwhile, a press release issued in Imphal by the PIB (Defence wing) stated that troops of 36 AR under aegis of 57 Mountain Division while carrying out area domination last night encountered a groop of armed UGs in the area of Ward No.4 Kangpokpi.

The press release stated that when the UGs were challenged by the troops, they fired on the security forces column.

In the resulting retaliatory fired by the security forces, one UG was killed.

One 9mm pistol and three live rounds of ammunition were recovered from the UG.

The killed UG was later identified to be Robert (25), a resident of Haipi village belonging to KNF(P).

The press release further recalled that on June 20, an inter-factional killing took place at Kangpokpi in which one KRA cadre was killed by the KNF(P).

In the recent past such incidence of SoO violations by the Kuki SoO groups have been recurring particularly around Kangpokpi which needs to be curbed.

However, on the other hand, a huge number of residents of Kangpokpi and surrounding areas were out on the NH 39 this morning blocking it, saying that the action of AR was gross violation of human rights and SoO rules.

The angry protesters forced all shops and markets in Kangpokpi area to close.

They also stormed the Kangpokpi Police Station and staged a protest demonstration there.

Since the NH 39 bandh was imposed in a lightning manner, inter state tourist buses failed to get the slightest hint of the bandh and left Imphal for Assam as usual.

Some Kuki protesters stoned the tourist buses and smashed the windshields in front of Saparmeina Police Station and in other Kuki inhabited areas.

The attackers were some persons who came in a van from Kangpokpi side.

The stoning occurred while the passenger buses were parked on the road after knowing that the highway was blocked by the irate protesters.

Drivers of the damaged buses complained later that though the attack happened right under the nose of the police personnel, they did not even lift a finger to stop the attackers.

One of the passengers of a bus suffered sudden rise in his blood pressure requiring him to be given treatment at the Saparmeina Police Station.

Thousands of people took out a protest rally at Kangpokpi this afternoon.

The protesters carried placards on which were written various slogans such as "respect human rights", "don't violate SoO," etc.

Meiteis and people of other communities settled in areas between Motbung and Kangpokpi took part in the rally.

People who claimed to be eyewitnesses told this newspaper that they did not see any kind of weapon being carried by the killed KNF(P) cadre.

The AR personnel placed the weapon near the body after killing him, they said.

The AR troops had surrounded the house in which Thangginlal and two other persons were staying.

The cadres of the Kuki outfits, without carrying arms, are allowed to move around in Kangpokpi town area.

Therefore the killing by AR is violation of SoO rules, the protesters charged.

The mass rally passed through Kangpokpi Police Station and converged at Thomas ground where a public meeting was held.

The meeting adopted three resolutions.

They are : 1.The accusation that the victim (Thangginlal Kipgen @ Robert) was in possession of arms be withdrawn immediately.

.2Assurance from the govt that the Kuki UG cadres are not murdered in cold blood in future.

.3Appropriate legal action be taken against the personnel of 36 AR involved in the cold-blooded murder.

Later a memorandum along with the three resolutions was handed over to ADC of Kangpokpi, Rupachandra for submitting it to Chief Minister O Ibobi on behalf of the people.

The mamorandum was signed by President of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, Chungkam Haokip, President of Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association Aneh Chongloi, President of Kuki Women Union, Sadar Hills Nengneilhing Singsit, President of Kuki Students' Organisation, Sadar Hills, Lamkholal Sitlhou and President of Thadou Students' Associatio, Sadar Hills, Lamminlun Singsit.

Then the large number of people carried the dead body towards Haipi village for performing the funeral.

Chungkam Haokip told reporters that while the SoO with the state government, the Centre and Kuki outfits is very much in effect, killing a Kuki UG cadre by Assam Rifles is violation of SoO rules.

It is very unfortunate.

The SoO came about because the Kukis want peace.

Today's rally was taken out to give the AR a message not to recur their action.

There had been another incident in which the AR troops had shot and injured one KNF cadre in March last.

Therefore, with yesterday's killing incident, we get a nagging suspicion that many more innocent civilian would be killed.