Dimapur, October 30 : The All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur (ANSAM) has accused police commandoes of Manipur of ‘randomly’ arresting public members on fabricated charges. The association issued a press release on Sunday alleging that the police had been raiding Naga individuals in the restive state besides arresting even church choir members.
“The ANSAM vehemently condemns the random raiding and arrest of innocent civilians with fabricated charges and allegations by Manipur police commando. We are not surprised by their acts of violence and blatant abuse of human rights but we strongly condemn the continued oppression of the indigenous people / tribals of Manipur in different forms,” the students stated.
The group gave accounts of recent instances of alleged highhandedness by said police. On October 26, 2016, one Phaningkhui Kapai (43) of Peh (Paoyi) village of Ukhrul district was picked up without ‘stating the ground for which he was arrested,’ the association alleged. He was bailed out the next day but was rearrested on the 28th, the press release said.
Likewise, on the 27th at a place called Fairly Land in Imphal, four choir members of Somdal Baptist Church were arrested without any reason, the organization alleged.
The choir members were in Imphal to record Christmas songs, the ANSAM said.
“They are resident of Somdal village, PO & PS. Somdal, Ukhrul district and were picked up by the police around 8.30am. A case bearing FIR No.212(10)2016, have been filed against then in Lamphel Police Station and they are charged U/S 400/384/34 IPC which is highly uncalled for,” according to the ANSAM.
Such ‘unwarranted and communal actions and provocation’ by the Manipur government and its agencies, the ANSAM stated, “will not only widen the gap of the hills and valley but it will also destroy the future of the people.”
The ANSAM has demanded immediate stop to such actions and that the arrested civilians be released at the earliest without condition or delay.
