Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 13 2010:
Owing to alleged harassment by security forces during search operations as well as random picking up of youths with charges of being UG activists, Nungoo and Chairel villagers have resolved to prohibit entry of strangers to their respective villagers after dusk with immediate effect.
Speaking to newspersons on the sideline of the public meeting, village elders contended that Assam Rifles troops stationed at Sugnu, Waikhong and Kakching areas, and thoubal district police commandos either jointly or separately arrest village youths frequently with the accusation of being underground elements.
recounting that the security personnel mostly arrive at night sometimes in civies and civil vehicle and make the arrest without issuing arrest memo, they maintained that when enquired the prompt response is the arrests are based on input by informer.
When conduct of the security force teams are further questioned shots are fired in the air, the elders claimed adding that after 2-3 days of the arrest information about the captives are flashed in newspapers with the claim that the captives are UG members held with live rounds.
As per account of a women activist Heigrujam Manglembi, mothers having grown up sons have to ensure their wards are at home after sunset as there are no guarantee on their safety.
In December last three persons, including one grand-father were arrested by security forces, she added.
Elaborating further, she informed of arrest of a farmer namely Sorokhaibam Dolen (42) to be later branded as a PLA activist from whom live rounds were allegedly recovered besides arrest of one Elangbam Babuhal (40) of Chairel Khunou and another 40 year old Sorokhaibam Leithang, who is Dolen's neighbour.
Informing that Leithang had been charged of being a KCP cadre, the woman said all three are currently out on bail.
Narrating his arrest, Dolen contended that six live rounds were inserted in his clothing inside a police station.
In the latest arrest one Takhellambam Iboyaima (37) of Nungoo Awang Leikai was picked up on December 10 by troops of 21 Assam Rifles before being handed over to Imphal police station as a KYKL member, local elders conveyed adding that the arrest was Iboyaima's second.
Besides informing that such random arrests had been taking place for the last 2/3 years, the villagers finally decided to discuss the issue by convening a public meeting at Chairel makha Leikai junior High School playground today wherein a resolution was adopted to prohibit entry of strangers into Nungoo, Chairel, Chairel Khongyam, sabal, Kachartabi and chairel Khunou at night with immediate effect.
Moreover, a decision was also made for the local womenfolk to maintain night vigil in the respective villages.