Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 27:
Taking strong exception against the action of the Assam Rifles in the aftermath of the shoot out with Kuki Liberation Army cadres near Bongyang village on December 20, UPF, HRA and MAFYF have decided to approach the National Human Rights Commission and highlight the manner in which houses were burnt by the AR troops and the threat issued to the villagers to vacate their village.
Talking to newsmen at the MAFYF office today, UPF president Y Devadutta, MAFYF president Sapamcha Kangleipal and HRA programme executive LC Jeenine and programme assistant Manoj Thokchom said that a fact finding mission of the three organisations was sent to Bongyang village to get a first hand account of the plight of the villagers.
The team found that all the villagers had fled their homesteads following the threat of the Assam Rifles, they said and added that the villagers are presently taking shelter at Iram Moirang Purel and Seichang village.
S Bongyang village has only 22 households with a population of 150.Quoting the version of the villagers, the activists said that soon after the shoot out with the KLA cadres, the AR troops went on the rampage and burnt down two houses and ransacked the village Church and took away their foodstuff and other valuables.
Expressing deep concern over the trend of patching up with the security force after some money is paid, Devadutta said that it is primarily because of lack of knowledge of human rights on the part of the villagers.




