Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 19 2008:
Condemning in the strongest term the alleged act of brutal physical assault by some personnel of D Company 3rd IRB on three students at Sugnu Bazar at about 11 am yesterday, the Kuki People's Forum Chandel has warned of intense agitation in case the IRB post is not removed by October 25 .
The three students of St Joseph School��Paominthang Haokip (14) of Mombi village, Francis Doukhopao (15) of New Keipham village and Paonou Haokip (14) of Sahumphai village, were coming out from a hotel of Sugnu Bazar after having their meal when they were accosted by some IRB personnel clad in civilian dress and in inebriated condition.
The IRB personnel who were without their weapons reportedly said to the students that they looked 'suspicious'.
With this, they started bashing up the students, said spokesperson of the Kuki People's Forum Chandel, Robert Gangte.
Speaking to reporters at Sahumphai village, Robert conveyed that one Mark Haokip (16) of Hebron village who went up to the IRB personnel asking for reasons for thrashing the students was also beaten up.
Then the IRB personnel took all four of the youths inside their camp located within Sugnu CHC complex.
There the students were severely beaten up till they bled, Robert alleged.
At about 12.30 pm, representatives of KSO, Kuki Chiefs' Association and the Kuki Human Rights group were summoned at the IRB camp where they were reportedly forced to sign on a paper with a declaration which said that the students were detained on suspicion of being UG cadres.
Only after that, the students were released.
Decrying the alleged act of the IRB personnel turning against the people and citing instances of harassment they made to the people including women, the forum demanded removal of the IRB post by October 25 .