IMPHAL, October 09: Urging the immediate release of two 'in-nocent' youths including a Class IX student, of the Vaiphei community who were arrested as proscribed PLA cadres by security forces, Eastern Block of Zillai (Vaiphei Students' Association) warned of launching intense agitation if the demand is not fulfilled at the earliest.
Speaking to media persons today at the Manipur Press Club hall, Gou Vaiphei, president of Zillai Eastern Block, said Paulianmawi Vaiphei (23) of Kananphai, near Andro Khunnou Taorangthel and Manglianlal Vaiphei (14) of Molkonbung were picked from their residences by a combined team of Thoubal district police commandos and 15 AR on October 5.
However, the statement of the PRO of IGAR (S), published in local papers, claimed that the duo were PLA cadres and one magazine, a 9 mm pistol along with three live rounds and explosive components were recovered from their possession, Agou pointed out.
Asserting that the two youth were innocents, having no link whatsoever with any militant group, Gou strongly condemned the act of the security forces in arresting and detaining them. He said that Paulianmawi, who is living only with his mother, is a daily bread earner while Manglianlal is a Class IX student of a private school. Though they were arrested from their residences, the AR statement claimed that they were apprehended during a search operation, without issuing an arrest memo, Agou said. Gou further warned that Zillai would launch intense agitation if the two youth were not released immediately.The RPF/PLA, it may be mentioned, had also disowned the duo.
Source: The Sangai Express
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Vaiphei students refute police claim
Imphal, October 09 2012: While strongly condemning the "wrongful detention" and arrest of Paolianmawi Vaiphei and Thanglianlal Vaiphei by 15 Assam Rifles and Thoubal district commandos, the Zillai Eastern Block (Vaiphei Students' Association) has refuted the claim made by the police that the duo were members of RPF/PLA.
The combined forces had arrested Paolianmawi Vaiphei s/o Kailun of Kananphai Village, Sadar Hills and Thanglianlal Vaiphei s/o Soiginthang of Molkonbung Village, Sadar Hills from their homes on October 6 .
Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Gou Vaiphei, President of Zillai Eastern Block (Vaiphei Students' Association) stated that Paolianmawi Vaiphei is an unemployed daily wage earner living with his old mother while Manglianlal Vaiphei is a Class IX student studying at Bethel English High School, Salam Village near Moirang Purel, Sadar Hills.
Gou said that no arrest memo was given thereafter.
The claim that they were arrested with arms and ammunitions is totally false, Gou Vaiphei dismissed. Stating that the duo were forcibly given arms and intimidated to admit that they are PLA cadres involved in planting IED explosives targeting security personnel, Gou Vaiphei said, " Arresting innocent persons and branding them as underground cadres, killing innoceent persons in their so called 'encounter' is the modus operandi of the security forces which is uncivilized and highly condemnable by all " .
Henboi Vaiphei, uncle of Manglianlal Vaiphei said a written information from the Bethel English School's authority notifying that Manglianlal is a student of the school had been handed over to the Investigating Officer of Yairipok Police Station.
Taking serious note on the incident, the association has threatened to launch agitations if the authority does not expedite the prosecution against the duo in a just and fair manner and appealed to the concerned to deliver justice immediately.
On the other hand, five out of six militant suspects arrested by troops of 9 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector stationed at Khudengthabi Post in Chandel district yesterday has turned out to be innocent persons as their families have claimed all five of them to be bread earners.
They were all being engaged in the construction of Moreh Forest Department's Range Officer quarter, their families said.
Decrying the act of the 9 Assam Rifles, local residents of Nambol Leimapokpam Mayai Leikai and Nambol Kha-thong sat sit-in protests at their respective community halls participated by mostly womenfolk claiming they are all above suspicion.
They said Oinam Inaocha, 44, is a mason while Leimapokpam Sobha, 35, Yumnam Bungobi, 27, Yumnam Hemanta, all hailing from Nambol Leimapokpam Mayai Leikai and Wahengbam Sunil, 30, a resident of Nambol Kha-thong are all labourers.
The 9 Assam Rifles had claimed that the five were cadres of the banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF).
Three pistols with live rounds, two radio control IEDs, one radio set and other war like stores were seized from them, they had claimed.
The Assam Rifles troops later handed them over to Lamphel Police Station.
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
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Firing condemned
IMPHAL, Oct 9: A Kuki Students' Organisation, Imphal Branch condemnedd the indiscriminate firing at the house of Songlenlal Hangshing , Principal of St Peter High School , National Games Villages, Imphal by suspected ZRA at the wee hour on October 7. The wife and son of Songlenlal were injured during the attack, a statement said today.
The KSO-IB appealed to the underground outfits to excercise maximum restraint from reppeating senseless act in future in order to maintain peaceful co-existence, it added.
Source: Imphal Free Press
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