Imphal, November 16: The Sub-Divisional Officer of Ukhrul district has lodged a strong protest with her superior against what she termed the high handedness and arrogance of the 1 Assam Rifles post at Phungyar-Phaisat located about 11/12 kms from Sorde village.

When The Sangai Express contacted the SDO, the 2004 IAS batch officer, Nidhi Kesharwani said that she had gone to Sorde village yesterday following an order issued by the Ukhrul DC, Pankaj Pal to conduct a Magisterial Inquiry into the alleged forced labour by the Assam Rifles there.

Sorde village was in the news recently following an ambush launched by the proscribed KYKL on a patrol party of Assam Rifles in which some personnel including a Major were killed.

The village again came to the limelight when a bomb accidentally left behind during the ambush exploded, while the villagers of Sorde, Sorbung and Nongmang were asked by the Assam Rifles to clear the undergrowth.

Some villagers were injured in the explosion.

Though the Assam Rifles authority had denied that any forced labour was used, the DC of Ukhrul ordered the Magisterial Inquiry following complaints from the villagers.

Narrating her story, Nidhi said that she reached the AR gate on the way to Sorde yesterday at about 11.10 am.

She was allowed to pass through without any hindrances.

However while she was returning to Ukhrul after visiting Sorde and the adjoining villages, she was stopped at the AR gate by a sentry at about 2.55 pm.

The sentry on duty insisted that the vehicle would be checked and made it clear that without frisking and checking the documents, identities and the vehicle, the SDO would not be allowed to pass through.

"I explained to the sentry that I was on official duty and that I was travelling in my official vehicle.

However the sentry refused to budge and we had a heated argument.

After I was detained for about 15 minutes, I demanded to meet the Post Commander, but obviously the message was not passed through," said the SDO.

"Later a Captain, Rohta, came out and said 'This is the law.

Even if the Prime Minister wants to pass through, the checkings have to be conducted".

The IAS officer informed that she was allowed to proceed after being detained for about 30/40 minutes.

On immediately arriving at Ukhrul headquarters, the SDO lodged a complaint with the DC and the same has been forwarded to the Chief Secretary and the DGP for necessary action, said Nidhi Kesharwani.

However the AR authority had a different story to tell.

In a statement, the PRO of Assam Rifles informed The Sangai Express that a check point was established to check movements of vehicles in view of the present security scenario.

The PRO said that the lady officer arrived at the Sorde check post yesterday at about 1 pm in two vehicles and added that the sentry on duty asked the lady officer to disclose her identity.

The lady, however started questioning the sentry on duty.

The COB Commander also explained to the lady officer that the measures were taken up for security reasons.

As the lady officer had no security escort and keeping in mind the ambush at Sorbung, the COB requested her to disclose her identity.

However on seeing the BDO of Phungyar in the vehicle, the vehicles were allowed to proceed at 1.10 pm, claimed the PRO.

The vehicles returned after about an hour and they were allowed to proceed without being stopped.

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