IMPHAL, March 10: Armed miscreants believed to be NSCN (IM) cadres today assaulted and robbed around 10 labourers involved in the construction of the Mini Barrage Dam at Heirok River near Chingol Melei Lampak at Heirok Part II under Heirok Police Station in Thoubal District.
The incident occurred around 3pm today. The site of the incident is about half a kilometre from the 154 Battalion D Coy BSF post.
The well-armed miscreants numbering around six assaulted the labourers, took away around Rs 2.50 lakhs kept to pay the labourers at gun-point and six mobile phones including from some youth who were visiting Melei Lampak and fired several round towards the labourers before fleeing the scene.
On the other hand, enraged by the incident, people of Heirok halted five persons including two women of Karongthel Village who were returning home near Heirok Litan. However, following a meeting at the Heirok Litan Community Hall which was also attended by SDPO Yairipok and Heirok Part II Pradhan, the five were handed over to the Heirok Police Station so that no untoward incidents occur to them.
The labourers assaulted by the armed militants are identified as Th Narashing 31, son of (L) Biren; Th Tomba, 34, son of (L) Natum; Th Arun, 20, son of Sanayaima, Th Deben, 34, son of Ibohal, M Kokngang, 45; Th Nganba, 24 all from Heirok part II Chingol Leikai; caretaker of the work site Roshan and N Langamba, 20 son of (L) Juge both of Kongba; L Rame, 46, son of Yaima of Heirok Part III Thong Wangma; Th Brojen, 46, son of Ibungo and Th Mubi, 52 son of Kunjo of Heirok Part II Chingol.
Speaking to media persons, one of the injured Arun said around 19 labourers are working at the construction of the dam; however, today due to the rains, only around 11 of them were present at the site.
Around 3pm, six unidentified well-armed tribal youth in civilian dresses came down from the hills and came inside their temporary tents, he said.
The six then warning the labourers against continuing their work at the site, started hitting them with sticks, he said. They then pointed their gun towards Th Nara and took the amount of around Rs 2.50 lakhs kept as wages for the labourers, he claimed.
They then went away after blank firing to threaten the labourers, he added.
Arun continued that they took away mobile phones of some of the labourers and from some youths who were picnicking at Melei Lampak. The militants also fired at two boats kept at the Melei Lampak pond, he added.
Later, after the labourers came up and informed the people of Heirok Litan which triggered a tension in the area. Angered by the incident, the people halted five villagers going back to Karongthel Village. However, a police team led by Yairipok PS SDPO L Hemanta came and controlled the mob. The five were handed to the Heirok Police for their safety.