Public decides to ban entry of outfit in Lamlai
IMPHAL, April 9: Angered by acts of the cadres of United Revolutionary Front of Manipur Ngangom Soviet alias Chingkheinganba faction during a thabal chongba yesterday, locals of Napet Palli burnt down the designated camp of the outfit.
The outfit is a signatory of the Suspension of Operation with both the State and Central governments since February 2, 2013.
The locals have also resolved not to allow the cadres of the outfit to stay in the Lamlai area.
The cadres of the SoO signatory group are accommodated at the Napet primary School building under Lamlai Police Station.
Since yesterday afternoon, youth of the surrounding area have been preparing to arrange a thabal chongba as part of the Chieraoba celebration.
They wanted to arrange the thabal chongba at a ground near the school; however, when the cadres staying at the designated camp disapproved of the idea, it was arranged at the nearby paddy field.
But soon after the start of the thabal chongba, some armed cadres of the outfit came out and started acting in a distasteful manner. This prompted the elders of the locality to approach them and ask them to stop acting so, as it could create unwanted instead.
This resulted in a confrontation between the two sides and soon began to throw stones against one another.
The URF cadres then fired some shots and fled from the scene.
Enraged by the action of the cadres, the locals dismantled the school building used as the designated camp of the outfit and then set it on fire. The upper portion of the school structure and the furniture including beds were totally damaged in the fire.
The angry mob also set ablaze a Maruti Gypsy, a Tata Magic and two two-wheelers parked at the compound.
Getting information about the fire, fire tenders from Imphal rushed to the spot this morning around 7:30, however, they had to turn back, as the locals who were still angry denied them entry.
The police have also registered a case in this regard last night; however, since they were also denied entry by the locals, they are yet to conduct a spot inquiry and as such the damage of the fire couldn’t be officially ascertained at the moment.
Meanwhile, a public meeting was held this afternoon at Napet Palli attended by representatives of villages of Lamlai area and resolved that the people will not allow entry or setting up of designated camps of any outfit in the Lamlai area.
It may be mentioned that the camp was also attacked by the Maoist Communist party, Manipur on March 3 using bombs and guns.
