Sources said that the cadres came to demand money from trucks quarrying sand from the river bed there. It further continued that there a heated altercation ensued between the locals and the KLA cadres who were unarmed but dressed in combat fatigues.
However, an ADC member claimed that the four persons had not gone there for extortion but to order sand from a person with whom they have corresponded in advance. However, he said he was not aware about the confiscation of documents related to KLA from them.
The KLA members has been identified as Haoupu,24, son of Hemlun of Chingningpokpi village, Helin, 23, son of Harmang of Aiyang village (Sawombung), Sanboi,35, son of Lunglun of Bongyang village and Ng Thang, 17, son of Hemlun of Ayang village. Sources further mentioned that the battered cadres were later rescued by 13 BSF personnel whose camp was located nearly 200 metres from the place of incident.
Later, the cadres were handed over to Lamlai police station.
Kaboklei, a local woman of the area said “ Most of the times we have suffered at the hands of the Tangkhuls (NSCN-IM) and Kuki UGs even after providing them help. They still continue to extort from the truckers, and as it was not enough they entered our locality for further extortion”.
Naoba, a Shaktiman driver said, “The cadres demanded money from us, we gave them Rs 2,500 and left the spot. We have been harassed by the cadres for some time.”
