IMPHAL, October 9: Locals of Leimapokpam and Khathong staged a sit in protest today at the local community hall rejecting the PRO IGAR (S)’s claim that the Assam Rifles had arrested five UNLF cadres on October 7 during an operation launched near New Zalinmoul, Moreh.
Contrary to the PRO IGAR (S) report, family members claimed that the five were masons and had been engaged in the construction of a Forest Officer quarter at Moreh since some time back.
A protestor continued that the five had return some time back to cast their votes during the recent 4th Manipur Gram Panchayat election, and had left for their workplace on September 18.
One of them had even called up his wife on October 6 to informed that they were returning home and that they had reached the Khudengthabi Assam Rifles check post and undergoing checking, said one of the family members.
Sobha’s wife Bilashini said that after her husband failed to call up after informing that they had reached Khudengthabi she tried calling him up but could not get line.
After they failed to return by morning of October 7, the family members met and proceeded towards Moreh to find them.
Even as they were searching for the five, it was reported today that they have been arrested along with arms.
The family members also charged that the five who are still under Lamphel Police custody had bruises on their body which shows that they were physically assaulted and tortured at the Assam Rifles camp.
A protestor while decrying the AR for fabricating such false reports identified the five as head mason Oinam Inaocha, 44 son of (L) Sanajao, mason Leimapokpam Sobha, 35 son of Maipak, mason Yumnam Bungobi, 27 son of Ingobi, mason Yumnam Hemanta, 25 son of Yaiskul all from Leimapokpam Mayai Leikai and Wahengbam Sunil, 30 son of Manihar of Khathong Laiharoabam Maya.
It may be mentioned that local dailies had reported today that according to a PRO IGAR (S) statement, troops of 9 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under HQ IGAR (South) launched operation near village New Zalinmoul, Moreh and apprehended four cadres of UNLF traveling in a Maruti Van.
The report had also continued that two more UNLF cadres and a PREPAK cadre were also arrested along with huge explosives while conducting operation between Moreh and Khudengthabi. While identifying the seven arrested individuals, the PRO IGAR (S) report had also claimed that all seven and the seized explosives were later handed over to the Lamphel PS.
Meanwhile, Zillai Eastern Block (Vaiphei Students’ Association) called a press conference at the Manipur Press Club and refuted a news report on October 7 that the 15 Assam Rifles and Thoubal District police have arrested Paolianmawi Vaiphei and Manglianlal Vaiphei as PLA/RPF cadres.
According to the president of the student body, the two are not PLA.RPF cadres. He said while Paolianmawi Vaiphei is an unemployed daily wage earner living with his mother, Manglianlal Vaiphei is a Class IX student of Bethel English School.
The student body further threatened to launch an agitation in case the authorities does not expedite the prosecution against the two in a just and fair manner.