CCpur, Mar 6 : At a time when the polling exercise in Churachandpur’s town area was considered as one of the finest in recent times, a post-poll violence witnessed last night has overturned the ambience, with tensions running high and a swift shutdown crippling normal life today.
Two men from Lamjang village located along the lake of Khuga Dam were reportedly abducted by some men last night around 8.30 in what is believed to be a post-poll incident. They were released about three hours later but with severe torture marks.
As news about the abduction rapidly spread across the social media, people in hundreds rushed to the village and began looking for the duo leading to tension that is yet to die down till date.
The duo identified as Thangmuansang and Thangsuanmung, following their release publicly narrated the torture they were subjected to and identified the people they knew were involved.
In a swift reaction the Young Paite Association GHQs swiftly announced the imposition of a total shutdown within Churachandpur AC from 7 am till 5 pm condemning the violence and demanding that those involved be booked.
With the general public waking up to the disturbing news and pictures of the torture marks goign viral on social media along with the people identified by the victims, a mob began gathering at the residences of the alleged culprits trigerring tension in the town.
As the day progressed, the district police at around 12.30 pm summoned the media and announced that the two suspects named by the torture victims are in their custody.
The duo who are identified as Thangsuanlal of New Lamka and Thangkhanlun of Beulahlane were apprehended at Khawmawi while they are heading for Imphal said the SP of Churachandpur Rakesh Balwal. The police made the announcement after taking them to Moirang PS.
The SP also appealed to the public not to take the law into their own hands and to desist from vandalising their houses. With the culprits now in custody he assured a thorough investigation into the case and sought the co-operation of one and all to let the law take its own course.
Later, District Magistrate R Sudhan citing the likelihood of breach of peace and tranquillity within Churachandpur town area issued prohibitory orders under section 144 (2) CrPC, effectively prohibiting assembly of more than 5 persons, carrying any kind of fire arms, swords or sticks and other lethal weapons within the town area until further orders.
Meanwhile, the election agent for NPP candidate in Churachandpur AC LT Juan Tonsing has washed the party’s hands off the Lamjang incident and claimed that it instead condemns the brutal violence and called for the culprit to be taken to task by the authorities.
The Siamsianpawlpi has as well issued a missive today announcing the suspension of the arrested duo who are in their executive committee and represented the student body in various activities.
The Evangelical Baptist Convention (EBC) with which one of the victims is working also denounced the violence and said the Church censured those who resort to violence despite the Church’s repeated call for peaceful conduct of polls.
Source: The Sangai Express
