IMPHAL, May 14: Zeliangrong Students` Union Khoupum Area (ZSUKA) condemned what it called blatant and reckless act by 5-Gorkha Rifle Captain Praveen Kumar, toward central project construction labours of Keystone Infra Private Ltd, a press release said.
The release further said that the 5-Gorkha Rifles posted at Luwanglong Khunou, Khoupum under Tamenglong District has caused hindrances on central sponsor construction work labourers at the behest of Captain Praveen Kumar.
They have been harassing and disturbing workers and staffs of the Keystone infra Pvt Ltd under NEC frequently without any valid reason on the pretext they should not be working at night, the release said.
The road stretching from Bishnupur to Rengpang along the Old Cahar road (Tongjelmaril) is one of the most important life lines especially for the people of Khoupum valley, it said. The Government of Manipur has therefore been pressuring for work progress along it, it added.
`It is unfortunate that, the workers of the road construction company, Keystone Infra Pvt Ltd are facing serious disturbances and threats to life and properties from the 5-Gorkha Regiment posted at Luwanglong Khunou (Namkaolong), Khoupum valley of Tamenglong district` the release said.
While the GR is threatening the company to stop working at night, the company is under pressure from State Government to complete the construction work in stipulated time period, it said.
`It is pertinent to asked why such restriction should be made from Gorkha Regiment when a mega national project like Railways is being undertaken by various reputed companies?` it further asked.
The release further said that on May 11, at around 2:30 am GR personnel lead by Captain Praveen Kumar came to the work site and slapped the machine operator (excavator) named Umashankar. On the next day Captain Praveen came at the work site and blank fired at random leading to fleeing off all the workers from the work site, the release further said.
The company workers have been threatened of dire consequences if they continue to work at night, it said.
Later on May 13 the captain again came to work site and threaten more labourers of the company. He not only snatched away the Identity Card of six Company Staffs but also warned them that they will be booked if they do not obey his order, alleged the press release.
Such wanton acts by a national security force are strange, the release said. The integrity of Indian military officer captain Praveen Kumar and his subordinate officers are doubtful, it further said.
The ZSUKA urged the concerned authority to intervene urgently and initiate necessary action against the GR unit and its officer, the release said.