IMPHAL, Aug 31: Tension ran high at Gamgiphai today following confrontation between Assam Rifles personnel and supporters of Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee.
Two Assam Rifles officers, who not only led a crackdown against women protestors enforcing economic blockade along National Highway 39 over the Sadar Hills district demand at Gamgiphai were also detained by agitated protestors.
The personnel allegedly molested the women.
The two officers were, however, let off later on.
According to a senior police officer of Senapati District Police, who was present at the site of the incident when a media team from Imphal reached there, two personnel of 43 Assam Rifles in civvies were coming on a motorcycle from Motbung and heading towards Sekmai side when the women blockade supporters stopped them for entry and verification.
But the two personnel started threatening and using abusive words against the women protestors.
The conduct of the two personnel infuriated the protestors all the more leading to a highten tension in the area. The two personnel, however, managed to escape from wrath of the protestors. One Akim, a woman protestor recalled that not long after this incident, a team of 43 Assam Rifles personnel in uniform led by their post commander arrived in a Gypsy and started chasing the women protestors. They also beat up and molested some of the women protestors, Akim alleged, claiming that at least 8 women sustained injuries while 3 others were molested in the ensuing crackdown of the Assam Rifles.
Infuriated at the conduct of the Assam Rifles personnel, agitated people overpowered two AR officers and attacked some other personnel who rushed in as reinforcement.
Vahchin Haokip, another woman protestor, said ‘we are only demanding district status for Sadar Hills and have no conflict with the Assam Rifles. We don’t hinder the movement of AR personnel in uniform. But the conduct of the two AR personnel who came riding a motorcycle and flex their muscles apart from using abusive language against the women protestors infuriated the people’’.
According to information received by press, the two AR officers who were detained by the protestors were released late evening after their CO concerned tendered an apology late and gave the assurance of taking up necessary action against the two officers for their rude conduct.
Ex-MP and president of Trinamool Congress, Manipur unit Kim Gangte played a major role in bringing about an amicable solution between the two parties.
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