IMPHAL, Feb 18: The Kuki Movement for Human Rights has sent an open memorandum to Governor, Gurbachan Jagat, and chief minister, O Ibobi on the atrocities committed by personnel of 36 AR on the villagers of Sehlon on February 15. It has further demanded the suspension of the CO of the unit, Arvind Ramakan and its quarter master.
In the memorandum, KMHR recounted that the AR personnel attacked the village immediately after being informed of the murder of a non-local businessman there. However, it regretted that the commandant did not think it necessary to even consult the village chief before ordering his jawans to beat the innocent villagers. Nine people including pregnant women were seriously injured in the violent assault, the note stated.
In the process, the AR has transgressed traditional Kuki customs and denigrated its motto of Friend of Hills People.
The All Tribal Women’s Organisation has vehemently condemned the Sehlon incident. It claimed that 27 villager, including 17 women were brutally beaten up. Detailing the excesses committed on the womenfolk, the group stated in a press statement that the jawan tore the dresses of two women, chased down two pregnant women to a solitary place where they were thrashed and pulled out women from inside the house to beat them.
Demanding fitting punishment to the wrong-doers, ATWO called for the state government and Centre to bear all medical expenses and shifting of the AR post from Sehlon.